Wandering Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna arcuata(Horsfield, 1824)

Least ConcernNative

Order: ANSERIFORMES
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Dendrocygna

Conservation: Least Concern
Commonness: Very common
Best seen: Year-round

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The wandering whistling duck is a species of whistling duck. They inhabit tropical and subtropical Australia, the Philippines, Borneo, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and the Pacific Islands.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length: 55–60 cm
Weight: 453–976 g
Wingspan: 75 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

Observe the very upright, alert posture when the bird is standing on logs or at the water's edge, making it appear taller than most other waterfowl.

flight

In flight, the wings produce a noticeable mechanical whistling sound, and the long legs characteristically trail beyond the end of the short tail.

plumage

Look for a rich rufous-brown breast covered in heavy black spots and elongated, cream-colored plumes along the flanks that overlap the wings.

size_and_shape

This duck has a distinctively 'goose-like' silhouette, featuring an exceptionally long neck and a high, steeply sloped forehead.

voice

Listen for a high-pitched, multi-note twittering whistle, often a rapid 'twee-twee-twee' given frequently while in flight.

02 · Where

Where to find it

Breeding range: OR, AU : Sumatra and Philippines to Australia, New Guinea, New Britain (south-east Bismarck Arch.) and Fiji (south-west Polynesia)

03 · When