Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture references:
J23.13.w10
B7, B29, B30, B31, B96, B97
D1, D8

Other References

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Whistling-ducks (Tree-ducks)

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Cold-sensitive Birds (Category 1.) (D1)

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Whistling-ducks generally do well, either in pens or in a park with access to extensive water area and good natural cover. They are gregarious outside the breeding season, and groups may bully smaller duck species, so should be kept in large areas, in which other birds have room to escape. Most need shelter in severe weather and a well-sheltered pen with frost-free night quarters for winter is suggested, or plenty of ground cover and/or straw to stand on, as they are susceptible to frostbite. They may be kept fully-flighted in aviaries, and have also been kept full-winged in open pens, tending not to wander. Perches should be provided at an appropriate height for pinioned or wing-clipped birds. Commercial pellets and grain are suitable for feeding.
• Elevated nest boxes are appreciated by most species, although pinioned birds will use ground-level boxes; boxes may be placed over water or land. Eggs may be incubated by bantams and ducklings may be bantam-reared. Many species have been sucessfully parent-reared in captivity. Pairs kept isolated and fully flighted in a covered pen, with high-hung nest boxes "seldom fail to rear broods" (B7). Whistling-duck species may hybridise with one another and therefore should be kept in seperate enclosures, and hybridisation has also occasionally been reported with Netta peposaca - Rosy-billed pochard.

(J23.13.w10, B7, B29, B97).

Species-specific information:

• Black-bellied whistling-ducks are relatively common in collections, easy to keep and attractive in mixed collections. Plentiful water, area for seclusion and opportunities for perching should be provided. They may be housed on ponds with other ducks - they are generally peacable and may be kept with small and delicate species, although they may squabble and chase each other, therefore should be provided with ample space. These ducks are quite sensitive to cold - more than are e.g. Dendrocygna arborea - West Indian whistling-duck or Dendrocygna bicolor - Fulvous whistling-duck. Shelter should be provided for cold spring and autumn weather, with frost-free winter accommodation. May be fed wheat, standard pellets, together with greenfood such as lettuce, duckweed, grass, and bread.
• These ducks are easily bred, and nest in dense cover near water, or may also use a hollow tree or a ground-level or raised nest box. The southern sub-species usually starts laying in April (northern hemisphere), but possibly late March, while the northern subspecies usually lay from mid-May onwards (B31); usually lay April to June (B29). Best results may be obtained if they are parent incubated and reared, although incubators or broodies may also be used. Downies require more warmth than most species, and should be given dry, drought-free accomodation. They should be offered food in a trough of water, to be sieved: fine floating vegetable matter, shrimp meal and duckweed are suggested, also fine-chopped hard-boiled egg in addition to duck-rearing meal. Newly hatched ducklings not being parent reared may easily drown if given free access to water in the first few days.
• N.B. Communal nesting is not uncommon, with 25-50 eggs frequently found in one nest; these may be incubated naturally, but for increased hatching success some of the eggs should be removed and placed under bantams.
• This species may hybridise with Dendrocygna viduata - White-faced whistling-duck, Dendrocygna arborea - West Indian whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor - Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna eytoni - Plumed whistling-duck; the two subspecies should be kept separately to avoid sub-specific hybridisation.

(J23.13.w10, B29, B30, B31, B96, B97, D1)

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average closed ring size: M 12.0mm (D8).

Management Techniques

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Lower breast, abdomen, flanks, tail coverts, tail and rump black, with white mottling on ventral area.

Upperparts chestnut-brown, tertials darker brown.

Wing dark brown with extensive white patch consisting of the outer upperwing coverts and the bases of the primaries and secondaries.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

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Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Dendrocygna autumnalis discolor: East Panama southward through South America to Ecuador in the west, north Argentina in the east.

Most populations are mainly sedentary with only local movements, but northernmost birds migrate south for the winter.

Vagrants regularly reach the West Indies.

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Not globally threatened – common and widespread.

Captive Populations

Trade