Family Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae)
Vulnerable
West Indian Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna arborea)
Taxonomy
French: Dendrocygne des Antilles German: Kubapfeifgans Spanish: Suirirí yaguaza
Other common names:
West Indian Tree Duck
Taxonomy:
Anas arborea
Linnaeus
, 1758,America = Jamaica
.Distribution:
Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Is, Greater Antilles and N Lesser Antilles (S to Dominica). Extirpated from several islands.
Descriptive notes
48–58 cm; male 760–1240 g, female 800–1320 g. Black-and-white ventral speckling becomes more streaky on flanks. Is slightly larger than D. bicolor... read more
Voice
Give five-syllable whistle in flight and when foraging, as well as harsh, high-pitched “peep” notes... read more
Habitat
Occurs mostly in swamps and marshes surrounded by abundant tree cover, particularly mangroves, but... read more
Food and feeding
Primarily fruit (especially of royal palm, Roystonia regia), berries, seeds (especially of grasses) and grain, irregularly... read more
Breeding
Season variable according to locality and might even be year-round on Jamaica and Caymans (albeit mainly in Apr–Sept on Grand Cayman... read more
Movements
Resident, with only minor local movements recorded, including between islands in the Bahamas; radio... read more
Status and conservation
VULNERABLE. CITES II. Population widely scattered, occurring in small groups; in process of major decline. During 1970s bulk of population reckoned to be on Hispaniola and... read more
Despite its quite different plumage pattern, has sometimes been considered perhaps closest to D. viduata. Hybridization in captivity with D. eytoni recorded. Monotypic.