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Manatee County

Audubon Society

Fulvous Whistling-Duck

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Name

Fulvous Whistling-Duck

Scientific Name

(Dendrocygna bicolor)

Why they are special:
  • A handsome, cinnamon-colored duck with a tall, upright stance and a whistling call.

  • Less common than the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, making sightings more exciting for birders.

  • Their strong family bonds and tendency to forage in groups add to their charm.

Size and color:
  • A medium-to-large duck, about 18–21 inches long with a wingspan of 32–36 inches.

  • Rich cinnamon-brown body with darker back and wings.

  • Pale stripe runs down the side, and legs and bill are bluish-gray.

Seasonality in Florida:
  • Found year-round in Florida, though in smaller numbers than Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks.

  • Most common in the central and southern parts of the state.

Habitat:
  • Prefer freshwater wetlands, rice fields, marshes, and ponds with abundant vegetation.

  • Often forage in shallow water or flooded fields.

Diet:
  • Feed mainly on seeds and aquatic plants, with a preference for rice and grasses.

  • Will also eat small invertebrates.

Behavior:
  • Often seen in small flocks, sometimes mixed with Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks.

  • Nest on the ground in dense vegetation, unlike Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks that often use tree cavities.

  • Known for their loud whistling calls, especially when flying.

Conservation notes:
  • Populations in Florida are relatively stable but vulnerable to wetland loss and changes in agricultural practices.

  • Benefited by rice cultivation, which provides important foraging areas.

Best time to see:
  • Year-round, especially in central and southern Florida wetlands and agricultural fields.

Fun Fact:
  • Fulvous Whistling-Ducks are sometimes nicknamed “rice ducks” because of their fondness for feeding in flooded rice fields!

 

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