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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Anatidae
  4. ›
  5. Dendrocygna
  6. ›
  7. Spotted Whistling Duck
Spotted Whistling Duck
Photo · (c) Kai Squires, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Spotted Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna guttataSchlegel, 1866

Updated 21 March 2026

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Native
Order
ANSERIFORMES
Family
Anatidae
Genus
Dendrocygna

At a glance

The Spotted Whistling Duck is a large bird, about 43–50 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
43–50 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Spotted Whistling Duck look like?

The Spotted Whistling Duck is a large bird, about 43–50 cm long and weighing 590–860 g.

The spotted whistling duck is a member of the duck family Anatidae. It is also referred to as the "spotted tree duck". This duck can be found in Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia and the Philippines. Spotted ducks are also held in captive populations.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
43–50 cm
Weight
590–860 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

  • Frequently perches on tree branches or logs overhanging water, a habit reflected in its alternative name, the 'Spotted Tree Duck'.

flight

  • In flight, the bird has a distinctive hunched appearance with the head held lower than the body and a conspicuous white bar visible across the base of the tail.

plumage

  • Look for large, bold white spots across the flanks and breast, contrasting with a pale grey face and a dark stripe extending from the crown to the nape.

size_and_shape

  • Often adopts a remarkably upright, vertical posture when standing or perched, making the bird appear tall and 'leggy'.

voice

  • Listen for a series of high-pitched, rapid 'ticking' calls that are generally quiet and lack the melodic quality of typical whistling duck whistles.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Spotted Whistling Duck?

The Spotted Whistling Duck is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Spotted Whistling Duck eat?

The Spotted Whistling Duck feeds on seeds and fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

3 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Spotted Whistling Duck live in Australia?

The Spotted Whistling Duck is native to Australia, recorded across 8 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingOR, AU : Sulawesi region, north and central Moluccas, New Guinea, north Cape York Pen., north-east QLD (north-east Australia), Umboi (west of New Britain) and New Britain (south-east Bismarck Arch.)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Vagrant
  • Resident
  • Breeding

3 regions recorded