14-10-2015 VALENCIA BIOPARC - WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) NIKON P900

The white-faced whistling duck (Dendrocygna viduata) is a whistling duck that breeds in sub-Saharan Africa and much of South America.

This species is gregarious, and at favoured sites, the flocks of a thousand or more birds arriving at dawn are an impressive sight. As the name implies, these are noisy birds with a clear three-note whistling call.

The white-faced whistling duck was formally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1766 in the twelfth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Anas viduata. He specified the type locality as Cartagena in Colombia. The white-faced whistling duck is now one of eight species placed in the genus Dendrocygna that was introduced in 1837 by the English naturalist William Swainson. The species is considered as monotypic: no subspecies are recognised. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek dendron meaning "tree" with the genus name Cygnus Bechstein, 1803, meaning "swan" in Latin. The specific epithet viduata is Latin meaning "widowed" or "in mourning".

The white-faced whistling duck has a long grey bill, a long head, and longish legs. It has a black neck and head, and a distinctive white face that gives it its name, though the amount of white color visible has regional variations among the species. For example, the white-faced whistling ducks with more black coloration are commonly found in western Africa where rainfall supersedes the dry season. The back and wings are dark brown to black, and the underparts are black with a fine white barring on the flanks. The neck is chestnut. Males and females have similar plumage. Juveniles are similar in color to adults but have a much less contrasted head pattern.

The white-faced whistling duck has a peculiar disjunctive distribution, occurring in Africa and South America. It has been suggested that they may have been transported to new locations worldwide by humans. The habitat is still freshwater lakes or reservoirs, with plentiful vegetation, where this duck feeds on seeds and other plant food.

Because of its large range, there are many common names for the white-faced whistling duck, including "irere" and "guiriri". 

20-12-2023 KARTONG, GAMBIA - WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)

The white-faced whistling duck (Dendrocygna viduata) is a whistling duck that breeds in sub-Saharan Africa and much of South America.

This species is gregarious, and at favoured sites, the flocks of a thousand or more birds arriving at dawn are an impressive sight. As the name implies, these are noisy birds with a clear three-note whistling call.

The white-faced whistling duck has a long grey bill, a long head, and longish legs. It has a black neck and head, and a distinctive white face that gives it its name, though the amount of white color visible has regional variations among the species. For example, the white-faced whistling ducks with more black coloration are commonly found in western Africa where rainfall supersedes the dry season. The back and wings are dark brown to black, and the underparts are black with a fine white barring on the flanks. The neck is chestnut. Males and females have similar plumage. Juveniles are similar in color to adults but have a much less contrasted head pattern.

The white-faced whistling duck has a peculiar disjunctive distribution, occurring in Africa and South America. It has been suggested that they may have been transported to new locations worldwide by humans. The habitat is still freshwater lakes or reservoirs, with plentiful vegetation, where this duck feeds on seeds and other plant food.

Because of its large range, there are many common names for the white-faced whistling duck, including "irere" and "guiriri".

This is an abundant species. It is largely resident, apart from local movements which can be 100 km or more.

The nest site is a depression in the ground or in reed beds. The clutch is 6 to 12 eggs which are incubated by both sexes. The eggs hatch after 26 to 28 days. Both sexes attend the ducklings and usually keep them hidden in reeds. The chicks have dark down above and yellow down below. They fledge after two months.

9-6-2023 MANDAI BIRD PARADISE, SINGAPORE - WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)

The white-faced whistling duck (Dendrocygna viduata) is a whistling duck that breeds in sub-Saharan Africa and much of South America.

This species is gregarious, and at favoured sites, the flocks of a thousand or more birds arriving at dawn are an impressive sight. As the name implies, these are noisy birds with a clear three-note whistling call.

The white-faced whistling duck has a peculiar disjunctive distribution, occurring in Africa and South America. It has been suggested that they may have been transported to new locations worldwide by humans. The habitat is still freshwater lakes or reservoirs, with plentiful vegetation, where this duck feeds on seeds and other plant food.

It nests on a stick platform near the ground, and lays 8-12 eggs. Trees are occasionally used for nesting.

3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/6898-Dendrocygna-viduata

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/6898-Dendrocygna-viduata

23-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)

20-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)

The White-faced Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna viduata, is a distinctive species with a long grey bill, elongated head, and relatively long legs. Its plumage is characterized by a black neck and head contrasted with a white face, which can vary in extent regionally. The back and wings are cloaked in dark brown to black, while the underparts are black with fine white barring on the flanks. A chestnut neck completes the ensemble. Both sexes are similarly attired, and juveniles resemble adults but with less pronounced head markings.

When identifying the White-faced Whistling Duck, look for the stark white face against a black head and neck. The species also has a distinctive three-note whistling call that can aid in identification even when the bird is not in sight.

These ducks favor freshwater lakes and reservoirs rich in vegetation, where they can forage for seeds and other plant-based food.

The White-faced Whistling Duck has a curious distribution, found in both sub-Saharan Africa and much of South America. It is thought that human activity may have contributed to their spread across these continents.

This species is known for its sociable nature, often forming large flocks. It is mostly sedentary, though it may undertake local movements of over 100 kilometers in response to environmental conditions.

Breeding sites are typically ground depressions or reed beds. Both sexes incubate the clutch of 6 to 12 eggs, which hatch after 26 to 28 days. The ducklings, with dark down above and yellow below, are tended by both parents and are usually concealed in reeds. They fledge at about two months of age.

The White-faced Whistling Duck is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and is protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

While the White-faced Whistling Duck is quite distinctive, it could potentially be confused with other whistling ducks. However, its unique facial coloration and call usually make it easily distinguishable.

The diet of the White-faced Whistling Duck primarily consists of seeds and other plant materials, which they forage from their aquatic habitats.

In the gentle light of dawn, one might observe the White-faced Whistling Duck, a creature of both beauty and intrigue, as it congregates in flocks that paint the sky with their synchronized flights and fills the air with their melodious calls.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

The White-faced Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna viduata, is a distinctive species with a long grey bill, elongated head, and relatively long legs. Its plumage is characterized by a black neck and head contrasted with a white face, which can vary in extent regionally. The back and wings are cloaked in dark brown to black, while the underparts are black with fine white barring on the flanks. A chestnut neck completes the ensemble. Both sexes are similarly attired, and juveniles resemble adults but with less pronounced head markings.

When identifying the White-faced Whistling Duck, look for the stark white face against a black head and neck. The species also has a distinctive three-note whistling call that can aid in identification even when the bird is not in sight.

These ducks favor freshwater lakes and reservoirs rich in vegetation, where they can forage for seeds and other plant-based food.

The White-faced Whistling Duck has a curious distribution, found in both sub-Saharan Africa and much of South America. It is thought that human activity may have contributed to their spread across these continents.

1-4-2018 EDEN PLETTENBERG BAY, SOUTH AFRICA - WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)

The White-faced Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna viduata, is a distinctive species with a long grey bill, elongated head, and relatively long legs. Its plumage is characterized by a black neck and head contrasted with a white face, which can vary in extent regionally. The back and wings are cloaked in dark brown to black, while the underparts are black with fine white barring on the flanks. A chestnut neck completes the ensemble. Both sexes are similarly attired, and juveniles resemble adults but with less pronounced head markings.

When identifying the White-faced Whistling Duck, look for the stark white face against a black head and neck. The species also has a distinctive three-note whistling call that can aid in identification even when the bird is not in sight.

These ducks favor freshwater lakes and reservoirs rich in vegetation, where they can forage for seeds and other plant-based food.

The White-faced Whistling Duck has a curious distribution, found in both sub-Saharan Africa and much of South America. It is thought that human activity may have contributed to their spread across these continents.

This species is known for its sociable nature, often forming large flocks. It is mostly sedentary, though it may undertake local movements of over 100 kilometers in response to environmental conditions.

Breeding sites are typically ground depressions or reed beds. Both sexes incubate the clutch of 6 to 12 eggs, which hatch after 26 to 28 days. The ducklings, with dark down above and yellow below, are tended by both parents and are usually concealed in reeds. They fledge at about two months of age.

The White-faced Whistling Duck is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and is protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

While the White-faced Whistling Duck is quite distinctive, it could potentially be confused with other whistling ducks. However, its unique facial coloration and call usually make it easily distinguishable.

The diet of the White-faced Whistling Duck primarily consists of seeds and other plant materials, which they forage from their aquatic habitats.

In the gentle light of dawn, one might observe the White-faced Whistling Duck, a creature of both beauty and intrigue, as it congregates in flocks that paint the sky with their synchronized flights and fills the air with their melodious calls.

3-12-2015 JURONG, SINGAPORE - WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)

The white-faced whistling duck (Dendrocygna viduata) is a whistling duck that breeds in sub-Saharan Africa and much of South America.

This species is gregarious, and at favoured sites, the flocks of a thousand or more birds arriving at dawn are an impressive sight. As the name implies, these are noisy birds with a clear three-note whistling call.

The white-faced whistling duck was formally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1766 in the twelfth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Anas viduata. He specified the type locality as Cartagena in Colombia. The white-faced whistling duck is now one of eight species placed in the genus Dendrocygna that was introduced in 1837 by the English naturalist William Swainson. The species is considered as monotypic: no subspecies are recognised. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek dendron meaning "tree" with the genus name Cygnus Bechstein, 1803, meaning "swan" in Latin. The specific epithet viduata is Latin meaning "widowed" or "in mourning".

The white-faced whistling duck has a long grey bill, a long head, and longish legs. It has a black neck and head, and a distinctive white face that gives it its name, though the amount of white color visible has regional variations among the species. For example, the white-faced whistling ducks with more black coloration are commonly found in western Africa where rainfall supersedes the dry season. The back and wings are dark brown to black, and the underparts are black with a fine white barring on the flanks. The neck is chestnut. Males and females have similar plumage. Juveniles are similar in color to adults but have a much less contrasted head pattern.

The white-faced whistling duck has a peculiar disjunctive distribution, occurring in Africa and South America. It has been suggested that they may have been transported to new locations worldwide by humans. The habitat is still freshwater lakes or reservoirs, with plentiful vegetation, where this duck feeds on seeds and other plant food.

Because of its large range, there are many common names for the white-faced whistling duck, including "irere" and "guiriri".

This is an abundant species. It is largely resident, apart from local movements which can be 100 km or more.

The nest site is a depression in the ground or in reed beds. The clutch is 6 to 12 eggs which are incubated by both sexes. The eggs hatch after 26 to 28 days. Both sexes attend the ducklings and usually keep them hidden in reeds. The chicks have dark down above and yellow down below. They fledge after two months.