Fulvous Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna bicolor

The Fulvous Whistling-Duck breeds across the world’s tropical regions in much of Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and the United States Gulf Coast. Its habitat is still freshwater lakes, ricefields or reservoirs with plentiful vegetation, where this duck feeds mainly at night on seeds and other plant food. This species is gregarious, and at favored sites substantial flocks can form. They are often found with the White-faced Whistling Duck. As the name implies, these are noisy birds with a clear whistling call.

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.

Picture taken in the Portland Zoo (Oregon), in April 2004.

Genus Dendrocygna
Tribe Dendrocygnini
Subfamily Anserinae
Family Anatidae
Order Anseriformes
Class Aves
Subphylum Vertebrata
Phylum Chordata
Kingdom Animalia
Life on Earth
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