Mystery bird: fulvous whistling duck, Dendrocygna bicolor

This is one of the most widespread of all waterfowl, naturally occurring on four continents

Fulvous whistling duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (formerly; Anas bicolor), also known as the fulvous tree duck, the fulvous duck, large whistling teal, and the fulvous whistle-duck, photographed at Awash Lake, Ethiopia (Africa).

Image: Dan Logen, 31 January 2011 [velociraptorize].
Nikon D300s, 600 mm lens, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/250 sec

Question: There are a number of fascinating things that I could tell you about this peculiar African mystery bird species, but I'll instead ask you to identify this bird and tell me something about it that you find especially interesting.

Response: This is a fulvous whistling duck, Dendrocygna bicolor. The word, "fulvous", is a Middle English word for "tawny" or golden brown.

Adults of this monomorphic species are unmistakable. Young birds may be confused with immature black-bellied whistling ducks, D. autumnalis, but a close look reveals that fulvous whistling ducks are distinguishable by their white flank stripe and lack of the dark rump and white wing stripe seen in the black-bellied whistling duck.

This species is found in freshwater and brackish wetlands throughout tropical, subtropical and temperate regions of North and South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. This species wanders widely during nonbreeding season and some populations are migratory although others are sedentary. Even though this bird is common, it is quite shy and usually forages at night, so it is not seen often. It gleans seeds from grasses and weeds, forages for waste grain in cornfields and it is especially fond of rice -- rice paddies have helped this species expand its range. It also sometimes consume plants in shallow water.

Interestingly, the whistling ducks are more closely related to geese than to ducks. When standing, for example, they look more goose-like than duck-like. Adding to the confusion, whistling ducks often act more like swans than ducks. For example, the male helps the female to care of their offspring and a mated pair stays bonded for many years, perhaps even for life.




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