Category Archives: Duck

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, More Sedate

Just a short distance from the Black-bellied Whistling Duck Kerfuffle that I posted last week a few small groups were calmly hanging out.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Black-bellied Whistling Duck

This floating mat of vegetation was solid enough to hold up the ducks but there was water around their feet.

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

This fellow was doing his own thing, sort of hiding in some taller grass.

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

In this group, one duck was on high alert, one was sort of alert and the rest were snoozing.

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023

Orlando Wetlands Park is 1650 acres of man-made wetland designed to provide advanced treatment for reclaimed water from the City of Orlando and other local cities.

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks Flying By

In flight the Black-bellied Whistling Duck shows off a snazzy wing pattern.

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

This one opted to leave the pack and head off on his own for a bit…

Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Black-bellied Whistling Duck

showing off that bright bill, which will look more pink in breeding season.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck In Flight
Black-bellied Whistling Duck In Flight

Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023

Orlando Wetlands Park is 1650 acres of man-made wetland designed to provide advanced treatment for reclaimed water from the City of Orlando and other local cities.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck Kerfuffle

Several groups of 10-20 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were scattered around the first pond at Orlando Wetlands. Most of them were resting or quietly feeding. Then there was this group.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Black-bellied Whistling Duck – cowabunga!

They were creating quite a flap, one or two flying straight up a few feet then wham, dropping into the middle of the group.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Black-bellied Whistling Duck

It seems too early in the year to be a breeding/territory thing. And there appeared to be plenty of food to go around.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Black-bellied Whistling Duck

A couple of Coots were unperturbed by the action.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023

Trio of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks

We had been alerted to the presence of these Black-bellied Whistling Ducks by another visitor to the Wildlife Management Area. Sure enough, they were still hanging out in the same spot.

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

I walked by them on the dike and they were unfazed.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Their feet are quite adaptable to stand on a variety of uneven surfaces.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Black-bellied Whistling Duck

These wooden boxes are installed to support breeding Wood Ducks, but the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks have been taking them over the last few years.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 15, 2022