PLUMED WHISTLING DUCK

The Plumed Whistling Duck, also known as the Grass Whistle Duck, belongs to the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans.

Plumed Whistling Ducks are native to Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands in the southwestern Pacific. They inhabit a range of wetland habitats, including freshwater lakes, swamps, rivers, and coastal estuaries.

These ducks are easily recognized by their unique appearance. They have a long neck, a slender body, and distinctive, elongated plumes on their back and tail. Their plumage is mostly brown with mottled patterns, and they have a  pale chestnut coloured head, crown, neck and nape.

Plumed Whistling Ducks are primarily herbivorous, feeding on aquatic vegetation, grasses, and seeds. They often forage in shallow water, dabbling for food.

They typically build their nests in vegetation near water, constructing a cup-shaped nest out of grasses and other plant materials. The female incubates the eggs, which usually number around 7 to 12, for about a month. The ducklings are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching and being capable of feeding themselves.

Plumed Whistling Ducks are known for their distinctive whistling calls, which give them their common name. Their vocalizations include a series of melodious whistles and high-pitched notes, often heard during flight or when gathered in groups.

Unlike many other duck species, Plumed Whistling Ducks do not produce the typical quacking sounds. Their vocalizations are more musical and whistling in nature.

These ducks are social birds and often gather in large flocks, particularly during the non-breeding season. They may form large communal roosts on trees or other elevated perches.

Plumed Whistling Ducks are known to be nocturnal feeders, foraging primarily during the night and early morning hours. This behavior helps them avoid competition with other waterfowl species that feed during the day.

Some populations of Plumed Whistling Ducks are known to be migratory, moving between different wetland habitats in response to seasonal changes.

Plumed Whistling Ducks hold cultural importance for some Indigenous Australian communities, who have traditional stories and beliefs associated with the bird.

The Plumed Whistling Duck’s distinctive appearance, vocalizations, and behavior make it a captivating and ecologically significant species in the wetlands of Australia and the surrounding regions.