Hi everyone. I hope you’re enjoying your holiday weekend, even if there isn’t a lot to be excited about in terms of this whole United States thing at the moment.
Anyway, as usual, I come bearing some nature pics to help take everyone’s mind off all that. This week’s bird is the black-bellied whistling duck. This duck lives in a large swath of North and South America, from Mexico though Central America and along the Atlantic coast of South America into Brazil. Its range appears to be increasing to include large parts of the continental US, but Wikipedia calls this “original research.” However, the US Fish and Wildlife service shows it living along the US coasts as well as large portions of the country’s interior, from the south up through the Midwest and to the Great Lakes. I found some citations to articles about the duck “appearing” further from its traditional range, but no info on why. The duck occupies its range year round, and does not migrate to breed or based on seasons.
This duck forms large flocks and is known for its long-term pair bonds, which are apparently more characteristic of geese and swans. They tend to nest in cavities in trees, although like the burrowing owl last week, seems to have no trouble nesting in boxes set up for the purpose. They will nest on the ground if no other option is available, although the disadvantages of this arrangement are obvious when compared to a nest high up, not quite so close to things that would like to eat the occupants. Once the eggs are laid, the parents will share all duties involved in raising the chicks, including brooding over the eggs before they hatch.
The black-bellied whistling duck is a medium sized duck. For context, it weighs between around .6 and one kilogram, (1.4-2.5 lb) and has a wingspan of 76-94 cm (30-37 in). These birds do not display sexual dimorphism. Aside from the chicks cute-ass pattern, juvenile ducks have a gray bill which turns a pleasing red-orange as they mature.
The black-bellied whistling duck feeds mostly at night. Its diet mainly consists of plants, including seeds, corn, rice, and millet. It will eat small animals such as insects, tadpoles, and mollusks when it gets the chance. It is often found in agricultural fields, looking for grain, as well as shallow ponds, lakes, and marshes, where it will eat both plants sticking out of the water and critters that live beneath it. It prefers areas where tall trees abut the water, allowing it to nest near food or flee into denser woodland as needed.
The black-bellied whistling goose in considered “of least concern” by the IUCN and its global population is estimated at between one and two million. Have a good weekend, everyone.
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