White-faced Whistling Duck
(Dendrocygna viduata)
Classification
and Range
All
whistling ducks are considered waterfowl. White-faced
whistling ducks are in the order Anseriformes, and the
family Anatidae. There are eight species of whistling
ducks in the genus Dendrocygna. There are no subspecies
of white-faced whistling ducks.
These ducks live from Costa Rica southwards to northern
Argentina and Uruguay. In Africa, they live south of
the Sahara from Senegal to Ethiopia and to Southern Africa.
They also live in Madagascar.
Habitat
White-faced whistling ducks live in a variety of wetland areas. Their
prefer bodies of freshwater in open areas. They sometimes live
in very small bodies of open water. |
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Physical
Characteristics
These birds average 17-19 inches
(43-48 cm) in length and weigh between 17.7-28.9 ounces (502-820 g).
Males are usually smaller than females. The name white-faced whistling
duck comes from the bird’'s white face and it's characteristic
three-note whistle. The bill is black, while the throat is white. The
back of the head and neck are black. Legs and feet are gray. The lower
neck, chest and back are rust colored, while the sides are narrowly
barred black and white. They are long-legged and long-necked ducks.
Life
Span
Life span in
the wild not documented. A white-faced whistling duck lived nearly
12 years at Woodland Park Zoo.
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Range Map |
Diet
In the wild: These ducks are primarily night feeders, and the mainstay of their
diet is vegetation such as grass, seeds and rice, as well as aquatic invertebrates.
They are particularly fond of seeds and fruits of water lilies. White-faced
whistling ducks obtain their food by dabbling and diving.
At the
zoo: Keepers feed them game bird chow, mealworms, grasses and romaine.
Reproduction
The breeding season for white-faced whistling ducks varies, although they
seem to prefer the wet seasons. They build their nests on the ground
in tall grass, usually out of grass or reeds. The female lays four
to 13 eggs and incubates them for 26 -28 days. Eggs are creamy white
with a pinkish hue. Nestlings are greenish-black to olive-brown on
the upper side, with cream-colored spots on the back. The underside
is a pale yellow. Chicks fledge in about eight weeks.
Location
at the Zoo
Woodland Park Zoo no longer exhibits white-faced whistling ducks.
Conservation
Connection
White-faced whistling ducks are abundant in many parts of Africa and South
America. Although the white-faced whistling duck is not considered endangered
or threatened, the same cannot be said for other duck species.
Worldwide, many duck species face extinction, due to habitat loss, human harvesting
of eggs, hunting and pollution. As of 2004, in the family Anatidae there are
at least 15 species listed as endangered, and 11 species listed as vulnerable.
Woodland
Park Zoo is Helping - With Your Support!
For many animals, flexible and sustainable conservation programs are essential.
Partnerships with other zoos can support healthy captive populations, while in-situ
field work provides successful on-ground solutions for helping the white-faced
whistling duck's habitat.
Each
in-situ project supported by the zoo aims to provide a broad, holistic
approach to conservation, encompassing research, education,
habitat and species preservation.
This includes comprehensive, cooperative strategies to link the needs of animals
with the people who share their ecosystems. How
You Can
Help!
The effort to save animal species requires cooperation and support at the international,
national, regional and individual levels. You can help in this cause. Join and
become active in Woodland Park Zoo and other conservation organizations of your
choice. Let your elected representatives know your views on protecting endangered
species and wild habitats. Please do not buy products made from wild animal parts
and buy only captive-bred birds as pets. Eliminate or reduce pesticide use. Protect
and preserve natural habitats.
Contact Woodland
Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org to
find out ways you can support conservation programs at the zoo. To learn
other ways you can help conserve wildlife and their habitats visit our How You Can Help page.
Sources and Suggested Reading
del Hoyo, Josep et al. 1992. Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume 1. Lynx
Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. 696 p.
Madge, Steve and Hilary Burn. 1988. Waterfowl: An Identification Guide to
the Ducks, Geese and Swans of the World. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston,
MA. 298 p.
Mackworth-Praed, C.W. and C.H.B. Grant. 1969. Birds of the Southern Third
of Africa, Volume 1 . Longmans, Green and Co Ltd, London, England. 688 p.
Scott, Sir Peter, ed. 1974. The World Atlas of Birds . Crescent Books,
New York, NY. 272 p.
Other Resources
Gamebird and Waterfowl Page: http://www.gbwf.org/
Woodland Park Zoo Animal Management Staff: Personal Correspondence
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