Alternative name: Black-bellied Tree-Duck
- Dendrocygna autumnalis
Identification
L. 20-22" (51-56 cm).
- Tall, long-necked, and long-legged
Adult
- Mainly chestnut and black
- Red bill
- Pink legs
- Large white wing patch visible in flight
Immature
Similar, but much duller
Distribution
USA: Breeds in southern Texas and Arizona, expanding northwards and commonly found in suburban areas around Houston. Introduced birds have bred in southern Florida. Casual vagrant to Kansas.
Rest of the Americas: Mexico through Central and South America to Argentina.
Taxonomy
Clements1 view this as a monotypic species, while other sources (Restall2; others?) recognize up to three subspecies: autumnalis, discolor, and fulgens.
Habitat
Wooded or tree-lined streams and ponds.
Behaviour
These handsome, conspicuous birds often rest on large tree branches, stakes, or poles in the water, also on the ground, by bodies of water.
Nesting
12-16 white eggs placed in a tree cavity or man-made nest box without a nest lining, occasionally on the ground among reeds.
Diet
Almost entirely herbivorous, they feed in shallow water on tubers and other aquatic vegetation, as well as in grain fields.
Unlike many ducks, this species is largely nocturnal, migrating at night and resting and feeding during the day.
Voice
Squeaky whistles, often in flight.
References
- Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
- Restall et al Birds of Northern South America. Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300124156
