Breeding
The northern race of black-bellied whistling-duck (D. a. autumnalis) breeds from southern Texas through coastal Mexico and Central America. Pairs most often partner for life and share the responsibilities of incubation and brood rearing. Nests are usually located in tree cavities, nest boxes, or on the ground in grassy areas or under brush or cacti near water. Ground nesting is most common where mammalian nest predators are absent. Female black-bellied whistling-ducks lay an average of 13 eggs and several females lay in the same nest.
Latin: Dendrocygna autumnalis
Average length: M 19.4", F 19"
Average weight: M 1.80 lbs., F 1.85 lbs.
Description
Male and female black-bellied whistling-ducks are similar in size and color. In general, black-bellied whistling-ducks are long-legged, long-necked and the most erect of all ducks. They have a black belly with a chestnut nape, lower neck, chest, and back. A chestnut cap tops the head. They boast a bright orange bill, gray face, and upper neck and white eye ring. The long pink legs are easily observed while they are perched in trees.
Food Habits
Black-bellied whistling-ducks commonly feed at night on grain, seeds, some insects and mollusks and leaves and shoots found in fields and shallow water.
Population
Since the early 2000s, black-bellied whistling-duck populations in the United States have been rapidly expanding in abundance and distribution northward.
Migration and Wintering
Black-bellied whistling-ducks are migratory in the northern- and southernmost limits of their range. Large flocks are often observed in wintering areas in the lowlands of Mexico, though formerly more abundant in interior Mexico than at present. In the United States, they winter primarily in southern coastal Texas. Black-bellied whistling-ducks are widespread and common in Central America and South America south to northern Argentina (Scott and Carbonell, 1986).
