White-faced Whistling Duck
Dendrocygna viduata
The White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata) is a common ducks, swans, and geese found in 67 countries, weighing about 690 g. The white-faced whistling duck is a whistling duck that breeds in sub-Saharan Africa and much of South America.
About the White-faced Whistling Duck
The white-faced whistling duck is a whistling duck that breeds in sub-Saharan Africa and much of South America.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Somalia, Eritrea, Mayotte.
When to see it
The White-faced Whistling Duck can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the White-faced Whistling Duck on live cams
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Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-faced Whistling Duck?
- The white-faced whistling duck has a long grey bill, a long head, and longish legs. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-faced Whistling Duck?
- The White-faced Whistling Duck is a large sized bird weighing about 690 g.
- Where can you see a White-faced Whistling Duck?
- The White-faced Whistling Duck occurs in 67 countries, including South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Botswana.
- What birds look similar to a White-faced Whistling Duck?
- The White-faced Whistling Duck is most easily confused with the Lesser Whistling Duck, the Fulvous Whistling Duck and the Plumed Whistling Duck.
- Is the White-faced Whistling Duck endangered?
- The White-faced Whistling Duck is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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