Early morning visitor

[marlingardener]

On the way to the barn this morning I saw this handsome fellow sitting on a stump in the field--

He is a Black-bellied Whistling duck, somewhat scarce around here. He had a friend with him, who sat on the roof of our shed for quite a while. I think they were tired of all the rain we are getting and were trying to find higher ground!

 

[Chuck]

On the way to the barn this morning I saw this handsome fellow sitting on a stump in the field--
View attachment 5950 He is a Black-bellied Whistling duck, somewhat scarce around here. He had a friend with him, who sat on the roof of our shed for quite a while. I think they were tired of all the rain we are getting and were trying to find higher ground!
View attachment 5952

Great pics. I haven't seen those ducks in at least 25 years. I had forgotten all about them. Good to know that they are still around

 

[zigs]

Great pics and a great name

 

[R.R.]

What a beautiful duck! I didn't even know they existed until now.

 

[Sheal]

Does it actually whistle or is it's name misleading?

 

[LIcenter]

That's a new one on me, and I belong to a couple of birding/nature blogs!

 

[Chuck]

Does it actually whistle or is it's name misleading?

It actually sounds like whistling albeit very poor rhythm. They don't quack like a regular duck. They also taste terrible

 

[DeborahJane]

It actually sounds like whistling albeit very poor rhythm. They don't quack like a regular duck. They also taste terrible

Lucky for them Chuck

 

[DeborahJane]

What a beautiful amuck. Last September we were lucky enough to be holidaying in the Greek Island Samos at a lovely little cove called Avlakia. There was a very tame duck which "fell out of the sky". It was just grey and changed into a beautiful silver, peacock blue, emerald green so it was a male being so beautiful!!!! That's nature for you. It had no other ducks to communicate with and would swim with people and socialize. In the evening he would sleep under tables in the 3 local restaurants. I don't know what happened to him as 2 of these restaurants close completely. One of the proprietors was talking of calling the animal rescue. I like to think they found out where his flock had flown to and flew him by plane to join them.

 

[DeborahJane]

Of course I meant a beautiful duck!

 

[grouie]

These ducks are so different from the ones I have seen. You have captured them in your camera perfectly.

 

[Trellum]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!! I love birds in general, these are really good looking ones. I hadn't seen that variety of ducks in a while, I'm used to seeing the other kind over here.