Bird Guide

Plumed Whistling Duck vs White-faced 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
White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata)

White-faced Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna viduata

Large690 gWetland

The white-faced whistling duck has a long grey bill, a long head, and longish legs. It has a black neck and head, and a distinctive white face that gives it its name, though the amount of white color visible has regional variations among the species. For example, the white-faced whistling ducks with more black coloration are commonly found in western Africa where rainfall supersedes the dry season. The back and wings are dark brown to black, and the underparts are black with a fine white barring on the flanks. The neck is chestnut. Males and females have similar plumage.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

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

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