Black Bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
- Sent by Rodrigo Girardi Santiago - 06/12/2006
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48 cm. The face is grey, the chest cinnamon and the belly black. There is a large white spot in the wings, more evident when flying. The beak and feet are red. Males and females are similar. The immature is grayish brown
Distribution:
From Texas (U.S.A) to Bolivia and Argentina.
Habitat:
Lives in lakes, rivers, wetlands and even in mangroves.
Diet:
Feeds on leaves, small seeds and aquatic invertebrates.
Reproduction:
The nest is built on the ground or hollow trees. The eggs are white, sometimes greenish or bluish. More than one female may lay eggs in the same nest and sometimes may even lay eggs in other species’s nests such as the white faced whistling duck (Dendrocygna viduata). The male protects and helps raising the brood.
Natural history:
Grazes in shallow wetlands. It is more active at twilight. Perches to rest. Although it is very similar to the white faced whistling duck it does not form mixed flocks. The nest may be attacked by the tegu lizard (Tupinambis teguixin).
