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Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, photographed by Mathew Schwartz

Photo: Mathew Schwartz · Unsplash · Unsplash License (licence)

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Call and song

About the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Gangly duck with long neck and legs. Unmistakable adult has chestnut-and-black body with electric pink legs and bill. Look for the bold white wing stripe, especially visible in flight. Juvenile is duller brownish overall with gray bill and legs. Young birds could be confused with Fulvous Whistling-Duck, but juvenile Black-bellied has a white wing stripe and typically shows some black coming in on the sides and belly. Flocks gather in marshes, lakes, rice fields, and swamps, sometimes by the hundreds. Active day and night. Occurs throughout Middle and South America. Range is expanding northward in the U.S., but still largely restricted to southern states. Vocal and conspicuous; listen for wheezy whistles and chirps.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 55 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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