Jean Cook, photographer of the bald eagle published Nov. 18, the the black-bellied whistling duck, published Nov. 19, offers this background information our the whistling duck:
It's from The Sibley Guide to Birds by the National Audubon Society (copyright 2000, pg 80):
"These oddly gooselike ducks are found in flocks, grazing in open fields or tipping up in shallow ponds. They call constantly in flight, when their broad, rounded wings and long legs are apparent."
The "rare occurence map" indicates they have been seen along the U.S. Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida and up the Eastern Coast from Florida through Maine and into Nova Scotia.
It has also been seen as far north as Alberta and British Columbia and into the state of Washington. California, Arizona and New Mexico have many sightings. It's also been spotted in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. "Rare occurence" means it may be only one sighting or up to a few a year.
The summer breeding range is Mexico and up into a small southern portion of Arizona.
The year round range is the west and east coast of Mexico into the southern tip of Texas. The "species can be found all year in this area, even though winter and summer populations may involve different individual birds. Only a few species are truly resident."
This info is from the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Birds (Eastern Region)-copyright 1994, pg 382
Habitat: Wooded or tree-lined streams and ponds
Nesting: 12-16 white eggs without a nest lining in a tree cavity or artificial nest box, occasionally on the ground among reeds
Range: Breeds in southern Arizona and resident in southern Texas; introduced birds have bred in southern Florida. Also in American tropics.
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.
