On my way to the barn this morning, I saw this fine fellow sitting on the big stump in the field. When he got tired of stump sitting, he flew up to our shed roof and checked out the view. We occasionally get a Black-bellied Whistling duck, but they aren't all that common on the farm.
What a handsome bird Jane. I've never seen a duck like that even in reserves or zoos here. I'm so glad you had a camera at the ready to take its photograph and share it with us.
I've not previously seen this bird; went to Cornell University's 'allaboutbirds.org' website to research them a little and discovered that their range did not extend to include us until recently; their range is expanding northward.... I like your pics, Jane; the one on the stump appears to be wearing a ill-fittng toupee... Very good 'SPOT'! ! Hank
We thought that the "whistling" was optimism on the part of whoever named this duck, but they do make a somewhat whistling sound! They'll never qualify for a talent show, but the sound isn't unpleasant.
That is a handsome bird. I went to that site, Henry Johnson and I don't think it sounds like a whistle. Oh well, it sure doesn't sound like a duck though. Quack, quack..... nope.
What a pretty bird. Maybe he can learn to whistle the theme from the movie The High and The Mighty....my personal favorite.
The Black-bellied Whistling Duck has a very limited range here in the USA. They are usually found in South America, and range into southern and central Texas, areas of Arizona, and into Florida. Here is a website that shows their range:http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-bellied_Whistling-Duck/lifehistory We feel so fortunate that this pair decided to stop over at our farm and let us take their pictures!
