Bird Guide

Plumed Whistling Duck vs Wandering Whistling Duck

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
Wandering Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna arcuata)

Wandering Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna arcuata

Large796 gWetland

Formerly named tree ducks, the wandering whistling duck has its new name because of their loud whistling calls and the whistling noise their wings make during flight. They have long necks and legs and look like a cross between a goose and a duck. They have a strong head and neck with a darker crown and hindneck. The breast contains black spotting and the feathers are mostly dark brown. They range in size from 54–60 cm in height and weigh on average 750 grams. They mainly feed on grasses, waterlilies, water plants and occasionally insects and aquatic vertebrae.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ron Knight from Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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