Fulvous Whistling-Duck

Fulvous Whistling-Duck

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

One of the most widespread species of waterfowl in the world, the Fulvous Whistling-Duck has a limited distribution in the southern United States. Its mostly seed-based diet makes it fond of rice-growing areas.

Description

• A medium-sized duck with long neck and legs.
• Head, neck, chest and belly buffy to tawny-cinnamon.

• Size: 44-51 cm (17-20 in)
• Weight: 595-964 g (21.0-34.03 ounces)

Sex Differences

Male slightly larger than female, but similar in plumage.

Sound

Noisy. High-pitched, two-syllable whistle, accent on second syllable, "kit-tee."

Conservation Status

Because of the duck's close association with agriculture, it risks pesticide exposure

Other Names

Dendrocygne fauve, Millouin du Mexique (French)
Chiquiote, Algarabia, Pato silvon, Pato silbon, Pato amarillo, Pikike canelo (Spanish)
Fulvous Tree-Duck (English)

Cool Facts

• In some ways, whistling-ducks act more like swans than ducks. The male helps to take care of the offspring and a mated pair stays bonded for many years.

• Pesticides applied to rice in the 1960s caused declines in Texas and Louisiana populations. Numbers have recovered and stabilized since then.

• The Fulvous Whistling-Duck is a frequent nest parasite, laying eggs in other Fulvous Whistling-Duck nests, as well as the nests of other duck species. These other duck species often lay their eggs in Fulvous Whistling-Duck nests as well.

• Unlike many other ducks which have elaborate courtship displays, whistling-ducks appear to have none.

• Other than in agricultural habitats, the Fulvous Whistling-Duck nests only rarely in the United States. It started breeding in the United States only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, nesting in rice fields.

Sources used to construct this page:

Hohman, W. L., and S. A. Lee. 2001. Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor). In The Birds of North America, No. 562 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.