General

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: Large, colorful, slender duck with bright red bill and pink-red legs and feet. Shows white wing patch, black belly, and reddish-brown breast. Sexes are similar. Juvenile resembles adult but has gray-tinged underparts and gray bill, legs, and feet.

Range and Habitat

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: Occurs in freshwater and estuarine wetlands and marshes along the Texas Gulf Coast and also in southern Arizona.

Breeding and Nesting

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: Mainly nests in tree cavities but may also nest on the ground with little material added to form a nest cup. Lays twelve to sixteen white eggs that are incubated by both parents for about 28 days. Chicks begin to fly at 56 days but remain wth the parents for at least 144 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: Feeds mainly on seeds of grasses and sorghum. Searches for food primarily at night in shallow water or on land. May eat a few invertebrates.

Vocalization

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: High pitched whistle "pe che che ne."

Similar Species

Black-bellied Whistling Duck: Fulvous Whistling-Duck lacks black belly, has gray-blue bill, legs and feet and pale brown plumage.