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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Waterfowl (Order Anseriformes)

-Ducks, Geese, and Swans (Family Anatidae)

-Whistling-Ducks (Genus Dendrocygna)

-Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)


The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck is a large, long-necked duck characterized by a striking contrast of a chestnut-brown back and breast with a black belly. It has a bright pink bill and legs, a grayish face, and a long white stripe on its wings, which is especially visible in flight. These ducks are known for their gooselike posture and loud, whistling calls, and they often form long-lasting monogamous pairs. Primarily vegetarian, eating seeds from plants and agricultural crops, but will also eat small aquatic animals and insects. They often forage at night in fields or shallow water.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Diet

  • Primarily seeds, grasses, aquatic plants, grains (especially rice and corn), and other plant material.

  • Also feeds on aquatic insects, snails, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates.

  • Forages by grazing on land, dabbling in shallow water, or feeding in agricultural fields, often at dawn and dusk.

Range

  • Found from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and much of northern South America.

  • Widespread throughout Mexico, including the Zihuatanejo region, where it is a common year-round resident.

  • Inhabits freshwater marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, flooded fields, mangroves, coastal lagoons, and agricultural wetlands.

  • Often roosts and nests in trees near water.

Male / Female

  • Male: Chestnut-brown breast and neck, black belly, gray face, bright pink bill, and long pink legs. Slightly larger than the female.

  • Female: Nearly identical in plumage but generally a little smaller and less robust.

  • Sexes cannot be reliably distinguished in the field except by subtle size differences or breeding behaviour.

Size

  • Length: 47–56 cm (18.5–22 in)

  • Wingspan: 76–94 cm (30–37 in)

  • Weight: 650–1,020 g (1.4–2.2 lb)

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