West Indian Whistling-duck
Dendrocygna arborea
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<birdfyi-bird slug="dendrocygna-arborea"></birdfyi-bird>About
A large dark whistling-duck with brown and black plumage, a pale face, and chestnut underparts with dark streaks. Endemic to the Caribbean. The largest native duck in the West Indies; listed as Vulnerable due to hunting and habitat loss. Roosts communally in palms and forest trees.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 51.3 cm | 20.2 in |
| Weight | 1030.0 g | 36.33 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Dark brown upperparts; head and neck dark with pale sides. Flanks black with bold white spots. Breast dark brown; belly blackish with white flank streaks. Long dark legs. Largest Dendrocygna. Sexes alike.
Habitat & Range
Freshwater lakes, mangrove swamps, palm savannas, and forested wetlands in the Greater and Lesser Antilles. Nests in palm crowns and hollow trees. Highly dependent on Caribbean wet forests and freshwater lagoons.
Geographic Range
Found in grassy wetlands and floodplains of Madagascar. Non-migratory and endemic to the island's eastern marshes.
Diet & Feeding
Eats grasses, sedges, and grains; migratory goose foraging in Arctic tundra in summer; overwinters on pastures and stubble fields.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CV,SC. Incubation: 30 days.
Clutch Size
4-16
Sound
Song
A loud, 3-syllable whistle 'whee-whee-whee'. The NT conservation status reflects population pressures. Less commonly heard than its more abundant whistling-duck relatives.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes (Waterfowl) |
| Family | Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans) |
| Genus | Dendrocygna |
| Species | Dendrocygna arborea |
Distribution
West Indian Whistling-duck has been recorded in 5 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the West Indian Whistling-duck eat?
Where does the West Indian Whistling-duck live?
Is the West Indian Whistling-duck endangered?
How does the West Indian Whistling-duck nest?
What does the West Indian Whistling-duck sound like?
How big is the West Indian Whistling-duck?
What order and family does the West Indian Whistling-duck belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Anatidae family