About the Fulvous Whistling Duck
The fulvous whistling duck or fulvous tree duck is a species of whistling duck that breeds across the world's tropical regions in much of Mexico and South America, the West Indies, the southern United States, sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent. It has plumage that is mainly reddish brown, long legs and a long grey bill, and shows a distinctive white band across its black tail in flight. Like other members of its ancient lineage, it has a whistling call which is given in flight or on the ground. Its preferred habitat consists of wetlands with plentiful vegetation, including shallow lakes and paddy fields. The nest, built from plant material and unlined, is placed among dense…
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ID tip
The fulvous whistling duck is 45–53 cm (18–21 in) long; the male weighs 748–1,050 g (26.4–37.0 oz), and the female averages marginally lighter at 712–1,000 g (25.1–35.3 oz). The wingspan ranges from 85 to 93 cm. It is a long-legged duck, mainly different shades of brown; head, neck and breast are particularly rich buff (fulvous) with a darker back. The mantle is more darker shade of brown with buff-tipped feathers, the flight feathers and tail are dark brown, and a dark brown to black stripe runs through the center of the crown down the back of the neck to the base of the mantle.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Fulvous Whistling Duck lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Togo, Aruba, Cayman Islands, Turks & Caicos Islands, Martinique, St. Barthélemy, Suriname, Hungary.
When to see the Fulvous Whistling Duck
Peak activity in April · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Plumed Whistling DuckDendrocygna eytoniMeasuring 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.
White-faced Whistling DuckDendrocygna viduataThe white-faced whistling duck has a long grey bill, a long head, and longish legs.
Wandering Whistling DuckDendrocygna arcuataFormerly 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.
Side by side: Black-bellied Whistling Duck vs Fulvous Whistling Duck · Fulvous Whistling Duck vs Lesser Whistling Duck · Fulvous Whistling Duck vs White-faced Whistling Duck
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