Family Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae)
Least Concern
Black-bellied Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
Taxonomy
French: Dendrocygne à ventre noir German: Rotschnabel-Pfeifgans Spanish: Suirirí piquirrojo
Other common names:
Black-bellied Tree Duck
Taxonomy:
Anas autumnalis
Linnaeus
, 1758,America
.Origin of type specimen unclear, leading to confusion over correct allocation of nominate subspecies autumnalis; S race has been labelled discolor, with N race then as nominate#R, but re-examination of the literature indicates that autumnalis should be applied to S population, with N population then named fulgens#R#R#R. N race is distinctive, lacking grey lower breast to hindcollar, but other differences apparently minor. Races intergrade in Panama. Two subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution
D. a. fulgens
Friedmann, 1947 – Northern Black-bellied Whistling-duck – SE Arizona and SE Texas (S USA) S to C Panama.
D. a. autumnalis
(Linnaeus, 1758) – Southern Black-bellied Whistling-duck – C Panama to South America, S to Ecuador and N Peru in the W and N Argentina in the E.
Descriptive notes
43–53 cm; 530–890 g (nominate), male 680–907 g, female 652–1021 g (fulgens). Unmistakable. Sexes alike, but male may have slightly darker... read more
Voice
Whistling “pee-chee-chee”, uttered particularly vociferously in flight and becomes an almost... read more
Habitat
Favours tropical lagoons with some tree cover at margins, being found on lakes, reservoirs, stock... read more
Food and feeding
Eminently vegetarian, basically grass and seeds (grain) form overwhelmingly majority of diet in most studies, with 92% in Texas and 97% in... read more
Breeding
Season variable according to locality; in S USA starts in late Apr/early May and continues into late Aug/early Sept; small young Dec on... read more
Movements
Partially migratory. Northernmost breeding areas largely deserted in winter, which birds presumably... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Widespread and common; northern subspecies alone estimated to number between 100,000 and 1,000,000 birds, while the southern... read more
Alternative name
In the UK, this species is referred to as Red-billed whistling-duck