2:45pm, lagoon creek, 1.75 plumed whistling ducks
Many thanks for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Scientific Name: Dendrocygna eytoni
Description: The Plumed Whistling-Duck is one of two whistling or tree ducks found in Australia. It is a tall, long necked duck, with very prominent long lanceolate off-white plumes edged in black along the flanks. The face and foreneck are light, the crown and hind neck are pale brown and the brown feathers of the upper back are edged buff. The breast is pale chestnut, finely barred in black. The bill is mottled pink and grey and the legs and feet are pink. It is also known as Grass Whistle Duck, Eyton's Plumed, Red-legged or Whistling Tree-duck, Grass, Grey or Red-legged Whistler, and the Monkey Duck.
Similar species: The related Wandering Whistling-Duck, Dendocygna arcuata, is similar to the Plumed Whistling-Duck, though it has darker body plumage and shorter flank plumes. Wandering Whistling-Ducks are more often found on water.
Distribution: The Plumed Whistling-Duck is mainly found in the northern and eastern tropics of Australia, it also extends southwards to New South Wales in the east but does not come far south of the Kimberleys in the west.
Habitat: During the day the Plumed Whistling-Duck congregates in large numbers with other waterfowl, on the margins of lagoons, swamps and mangrove creeks, for preening and sleeping. At night they fly out, often quite long distances, to feed on grasslands.
Seasonal movements: In the breeding season the Plumed Whistling-Duck leaves the water and nests on the grassy plains.
Feeding: Plumed Whistling-Ducks graze on tropical grasses. They pluck grass (like a goose) and also take food from the water by dabbling from the surface.
Breeding: Breeding for the Plumed Whistling-Duck begins in the tropical Wet Season. The nest is a scrape in the ground, sparsely lined with grass, usually under shelter of a bush or other vegetation. The Plumed Whistling-Duck is monogamous, and pair-bonds are probably life-long. Both sexes share the duties of incubation, with the changeover taking place in the evening, and brood the young.
Calls: Loud sibilant whistle
Minimum Size: 40cm
Maximum Size: 60cm
Average size: 50cm
Average weight: 1 000g
Breeding season: Variable, usually during tropical Wet Season.
Clutch Size: 8 to 14
Incubation: 30 days
(source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2016
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
2:45pm, lagoon creek, 1.75 plumed whistling ducks
Many thanks for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Scientific Name: Dendrocygna eytoni
Description: The Plumed Whistling-Duck is one of two whistling or tree ducks found in Australia. It is a tall, long necked duck, with very prominent long lanceolate off-white plumes edged in black along the flanks. The face and foreneck are light, the crown and hind neck are pale brown and the brown feathers of the upper back are edged buff. The breast is pale chestnut, finely barred in black. The bill is mottled pink and grey and the legs and feet are pink. It is also known as Grass Whistle Duck, Eyton's Plumed, Red-legged or Whistling Tree-duck, Grass, Grey or Red-legged Whistler, and the Monkey Duck.
Similar species: The related Wandering Whistling-Duck, Dendocygna arcuata, is similar to the Plumed Whistling-Duck, though it has darker body plumage and shorter flank plumes. Wandering Whistling-Ducks are more often found on water.
Distribution: The Plumed Whistling-Duck is mainly found in the northern and eastern tropics of Australia, it also extends southwards to New South Wales in the east but does not come far south of the Kimberleys in the west.
Habitat: During the day the Plumed Whistling-Duck congregates in large numbers with other waterfowl, on the margins of lagoons, swamps and mangrove creeks, for preening and sleeping. At night they fly out, often quite long distances, to feed on grasslands.
Seasonal movements: In the breeding season the Plumed Whistling-Duck leaves the water and nests on the grassy plains.
Feeding: Plumed Whistling-Ducks graze on tropical grasses. They pluck grass (like a goose) and also take food from the water by dabbling from the surface.
Breeding: Breeding for the Plumed Whistling-Duck begins in the tropical Wet Season. The nest is a scrape in the ground, sparsely lined with grass, usually under shelter of a bush or other vegetation. The Plumed Whistling-Duck is monogamous, and pair-bonds are probably life-long. Both sexes share the duties of incubation, with the changeover taking place in the evening, and brood the young.
Calls: Loud sibilant whistle
Minimum Size: 40cm
Maximum Size: 60cm
Average size: 50cm
Average weight: 1 000g
Breeding season: Variable, usually during tropical Wet Season.
Clutch Size: 8 to 14
Incubation: 30 days
(source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2016
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.