Fulvous Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna bicolor

The Fulvous Whistling-Duck is a widespread duck of Africa, Asia, and much of the tropical Americas.  Normally found in the extreme southern U.S., wandering individuals or small groups may occasionally be seen in nearly any location in the United States.

Habitat: Shallow freshwater or brackish marshes, flooded fields and pastures, irrigated rice fields. 

Diet: Mostly seeds of aquatic plants and grasses, waste grain in farm fields.  Particularly fond of rice.

Behavior: Forages both on land and in water.  In the water, swims on the surface and acts like a dabbling duck, grabbing food near the surface, or sometimes tipping downward and sticking its head underwater.  On land, they most often forage in wet fields.

Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota

Song: High-pitched pe-wheeah, usually when in flight.

Migration: Populations along the Gulf Coast often migrate south to Mexico in the fall.  Groups often stray from usual breeding areas, resulting breeding area expansion.  Erratic wandering may bring small groups to nearly any location in the U.S., and even into southern Canada.

Similar Species: Fairly distinctive.   Same structurally as Black-bellied Whistling Duck.

Status: Populations have decreased in the Southwest, and have increased in the Southeast.  Rice farmers in the Southeast regard the Fulvous Whistling Duck as a "pest" species which damages rice crops.  Population shifts may be due to rice-farming practices.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Fulvous Whistling Duck

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Fulvous Whistling Duck"

3) eNature.com: Fulvous Whistling Duck

Photo Information: Photo courtesy of Nicole Bouglouan