Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Photo Gallery
Adult (fulgens)
Long-necked duck with a red bill and long pink legs. Its body is mostly chestnut, with a black belly and a gray face. The white patch in the wings appears as a stripe down its wing while at rest.
© Shawn Billerman / Macaulay LibraryTexas, March 26, 2014Adult (fulgens)
In flight shows a large white patch on the upperwings. Flies with large pink feet projecting beyond the tail tip and head and neck head slightly down, imparting a kinked appearance.
© Georges Duriaux / Macaulay LibraryRío San Juan, March 09, 2017Adult and juvenile (fulgens)
Juveniles are browner than adults and lack the black belly. Note also the black bill and pale legs shown by juveniles.
© Sean Fitzgerald / Macaulay LibraryPuntarenas, November 04, 2016Adult (autumnalis)
South American adults (subspecies autumnalis) show a wide, pale gray-brown band separating the rich brown neck from the black belly.
© David Monroy Rengifo / Macaulay LibraryRisaralda, July 24, 2018Juvenile (autumnalis)
The long, slender neck, plank-like wings, and long legs projecting beyond the tail make this recognizable as a whistling-duck. Juveniles show a pale brown belly, gray bill, and pale pink legs and feet.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryCojedes, January 05, 2015Adult (autumnalis)
The stout bill and slim neck help create the whistling-duck "look." The pink-orange bill, white eyering, and large black belly patch that extends up the flanks combine to rule out other similar species.
© Luis Mario Arce / Macaulay LibraryTobago, November 28, 2017Adult and juvenile
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryCojedes, January 05, 2015Not all videos have soundAdult and chick
Very young chicks show a highly distinctive black-and-yellow bumblebee pattern with highly contrasting head stripes.
© Harlan Stewart / Macaulay LibraryTexas, May 22, 2020Adult (fulgens)
Nests in large holes or hollows in trees as well as nest boxes. Often perches in trees or on rooftops, sometimes well away from water.
© Ryan Shaw / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 16, 2017Adult (fulgens)
These gregarious waterfowl occur in flocks year-round. Frequently seen perching on fence posts or wires, especially near agricultural fields.
© Sean Fitzgerald / Macaulay LibraryPuntarenas, November 04, 2016
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