Bird Guide

Lesser Whistling Duck vs Plumed Whistling Duck

Lesser Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna javanica)

Lesser Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna javanica

Large520 gWetland

This chestnut brown duck is confusable only with the fulvous whistling duck (D. bicolor) but has chestnut upper-tail coverts unlike the creamy white in the latter. The ring around the eye is orange to yellow. When flying straight, their head is held below the level of the body as in other Dendrocygna species. The crown appears dark and the sexes are alike in plumage. They fly slowly but with rapid wing-flapping and usually produce a repetitive wheezy seasick call as they circle overhead. They are very nocturnal and often rest during the day.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Lesser Whistling Duck
Recorded by Ujjal Kishor De · Song, subsong · Ambedkar College, fatikroy, Unakoti, Tripura, India · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Pixel009 · CC0
Plumed Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna eytoni)

Plumed Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna eytoni

Large790 gGrassland

Measuring 42–60 cm (16.5–23.5 in) and weighing around one kilogram (2.2 lb), it is a long-necked duck with brown upperparts, paler underparts and a white rump. The chest is a chestnut colour with thin black bars, while long black-margined plumes arise from its flanks. Its bill and legs are a pinkish red, and the iris of the eyes are yellow. The male and female are similar in appearance. The species has a characteristic lowered neck and short, dark, rounded wings while flying. The call is a characteristic whistle, which gives the bird its common name.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Stephen Barnett · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Lesser Whistling Duck and Plumed Whistling Duck.