Duck sounds male female11/3/2023 ![]() Now, as the species extends its range northward, the population continues to grow. The population of the black-bellied whistling duck has increased since the 1950s. After dumping, one nest may hold 50 to 60 eggs, but chances are slim that all eggs will survive, and many dump-nests are abandoned by the original host female. This may occur if a female wasn’t able to find a good nest site, if the nest was destroyed in a storm, or “just because.” Egg dumping is an effort to pass on genes to another generation and is used by many species of waterfowl. In a practice called egg-dumping, female black-bellieds lay eggs in other females’ nests. A female may lay 12 to 16 eggs, but from here it can get a little crazy. If nesting on the ground, the female may put a little effort into weaving some grasses together. ![]() With scant attention to detail, females lay eggs directly on the substrate of a tree cavity or wood duck box. The social black-bellieds tend to perch on branches and just “hang out” during nesting. In these thickets, black-bellied whistling ducks may nest in colonies, somewhat like cormorants and herons. One key habitat requirement is proximity to dense woody cover, whether in an urban landscape, an agricultural setting, or a natural area. There are even reports of black-bellieds nesting in chimneys and barns. They are similar to wood ducks in this respect, and whistlers, as they are sometimes called, often use nest boxes intended for woodies. They will nest on the ground, but they often nest in low-hanging snags with cavities. ![]() Their nesting behavior is remarkably un-duck-like, too. Male and female black-bellied whistling ducks, however, look the same. Most species of ducks exhibit sexual dimorphism, in which males and females look distinctly different. They are tolerant of human disturbance and seem equally at home in marshes, forested wetlands or around water in developed areas such as parks, business complexes, subdivisions and backyard ponds.Īdult male wood duck perches on top of a nest box. Black-bellieds are not big on swimming, but they do cruise on shallow waters, feeding on submerged plants, “butts up” like dabblers. They wade at the edge of ponds to glean vegetation. They forage in grassy areas and in agricultural fields after harvest. With long legs, a long neck, and erect posture, the black-bellied takes on a goose-like air.īlack-bellied whistling ducks congregate in large, talkative groups day and night, although are more likely to be seen in pairs or small groups in Illinois. And of course, there’s the signature black belly. The bird has a broad white wing band, which is visible both on the ground and in flight. The eye-catching pink bill combined with the chestnut head and nape are key identification clues. When taking flight, they shout, or “yip.” Give a listen: They whistle while hanging out large groups in fields, on the water, and perched in trees. Gregarious birds, they can make quite a racket when gathered in large groups. Their constant vocalization is a dead give-away. You’ll know a black-bellied whistling duck when you see one, but you’ll often hear it first. The black-bellied whistling duck has always been a southern species, and a very uncommon visitor to Illinois, but it’s no longer impossible to see a black-bellied whistling duck in the Prairie State. They’re catching more attention now with their expanding range. The unique appearance and behavior of black-bellieds is enough to pique interest in birders, biologists, and hunters.
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