Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
© Ron Bielefeld
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks are locally common, year-round residents of freshwater wetlands, particularly in central Florida. This whistling-duck has a long neck, an orange-red bill, a distinct white eye ring and long, orange-red legs. Their population is increasing and has begun to expand throughout the state. They have recently been discovered breeding in the eastern panhandle at sites such as Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park. Due to its habit of perching in trees and nesting in tree cavities, this species was once known as the Black-bellied Tree Duck. This duck will use nest boxes.
For more information, including a range map and sound recording, visit The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds website.
Recommended GFBWT sites:
- Celery Fields
- Circle B Bar Reserve
- Lake Apopka Restoration Area: Clay Island and North Shore Tracts
- Myakka River State Park
- Orlando Wetlands Park
- Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera (Viera Wetlands)
- Stormwater Treatment Area 5
-
T. M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area
Bird's habitat
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks are locally common, year-round residents of freshwater wetlands, particularly in central Florida.
