This was one of those “stop the car, back up” moments as we drove into a wildlife management area and Ted spotted an odd movement.
About then Ted spotted a second duck in the tree above that was quick to fly up onto a nearby stump and show off his pink feet.
These Black-bellied Whittling Ducks are quite striking with that white wing stripe setting off the brown and black of the body.
This one spent quite a few minutes poking at the top of the stump. I’m not sure what he was doing, they are mostly vegetarians but will eat insects so he may have been looking for a snack.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
August 29, 2021
These ducks are so cool-looking, unlike any ducks that I have seen. Nice shots, Ellen, especially catching one with its head sticking out of the nesting box.
They are quite pretty, Mike, and interesting colors. They are another species that used to be rare in SC, over the last few years we are seeing them more. Later on this morning we saw at least 50 at the back of a pond. Thanks, that was an odd behavior–not sure what he/she was up to. They do nest in boxes and trees like Wood Ducks, and we hoped to see little ones pop out, but no.