Black-billed Whistling Duck
|
|
| West Indian Whistling Duck Conservation status: Vulnerable | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Dendrocygna arborea (Linnaeus, 1758) |
The West Indian Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna arborea, is a whistling duck which breeds in the West Indies. Alternative names are Black-billed Whistling Duck and Cuban Whistling Duck.
The West Indian Whistling Duck is widely scattered throughout the West Indies including a large breeding population in the Bahamas, and smaller numbers in Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Jamaica. It is largely sedentary, apart from local movements which can be 100 km or more. Nests have been reported in tree cavities, on branches, in clumps of bromeliads, and on the ground under thatch palms and other dense bushes. The usual clutch size is 10-16 eggs. It habitually perches in trees, which gives rise to its specific name.
The birds are mostly nocturnal and secretive, inhabiting wooded swamps and mangroves, where this duck roosts and feeds on plant food including the fruit of the Royal Palm.
The West Indian Whistling Duck is the largest (48-58 cm) and darkest of its genus. It has a long black bill, long head and longish legs. It has a pale foreneck and light brown face. The crown, back, breast and wings are dark brown to black, and the rest of the underparts are white with heavy black markings.
All plumages are similar, except that juveniles are duller and have a less contrasted belly pattern.
This species is endangered on several islands by hunting (despite legal protection), habitat destruction and introduced species like the mongoose.
References
- Wildfowl by Madge and Burn, ISBN 0-7470-2201-1
- Staus, N.L. 1998. Behavior and natural history of the West Indian Whistling Duck on Long Island, Bahamas. Wildfowl 49: 194-206.