all text and images by Judy Lyle
Friday, May 4, 2012
Backyard Birder: Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
A friend let me know about some Black-Bellied Whistling-Ducklings that could be viewed in a small pond from her backyard off Rhoden Cove Road. The first time I went there I saw nine very cute black-and-yellow striped ducklings. The two parents were present and about 5-6 other Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks. I would check every week and gradually the number of ducklings decreased. The adults were quite protective and wouldn't allow other birds, including fellow ducks, getting near their ducklings. Eventually the lake became too dry and they all left and hopefully some of the ducklings survived. I am looking forward to seeing them again this year and I especially hope to see the really cute ducklings again. [We do too Judy, your pictures are wonderful - Andy]
all text and images by Judy Lyle
all text and images by Judy Lyle
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We have lots and lots of them on our pond in the backyard. They are pretty aggressive towards the mottle ducks. They also spend a lot of time pecking at each other it seems! Pretty birds and they have even prettier ducklings!
ReplyDeleteI went bass fishing on Rhoden Cove for the fourth and saw about 8 ducks landing along the NE shore of the cove. I assumed they were Mottled Ducks, but after I paddled over their and flushed them from their spot, I realized they were black-bellied whistling ducks after seeing their black and white striped wings.
ReplyDeleteThey seemed to be concentrated on the NE shore of the cove and Fords Arm.
Sadly, I didn't see any of the ducklings. I hope they're making it through the drought OK.