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Red-Billed Whistling Duck Characteristics
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Nocturnal |
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Males and Females identical in colour |
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Bright-Red bills and legs |
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Distinctive black belly |
Red-Billed Whistling Duck Information
The red-billed whistling ducks are found in Trinidad and Tobago, South
America, and Southern U.S.A.
Common name: "Wi Chi Chi" or "Oui Ki Ki". This
duck is named after its colours and the sound it makes. They are largely
nocturnal - mating and feeding at night, resting and sleeping during the
daytime. They are also called tree ducks because they like standing upright on
their long legs, perching on tree branches and logs.
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Habitat
These ducks avoid deep water. They prefer ponds, shallow water, mangrove
swamps and mud flats. |
Food
97% of their diet consists of plant material (mostly paddy rice and other
seeds), and aquatic vegetation, insects, snails and larvae. |
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Voice
It does not quack but has a descending, high whistle which sounds like its
common name. |
Size
Wing Length: Approximately 230 mm
Weight: 670-691 grams 53 cm
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Main Predator MAN - This species is ENDANGERED from over hunting in
Trinidad and Tobago.
They are under management breeding at the Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust.
To date over 1058 birds bred at the Trust have been released into the wild.
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Fulvous Whistling Duck Characteristics
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Males and Females identical in colour |
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Red-Brown head and underparts |
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Bills and legs blue |
Fulvous Whistling Duck Information
The fulvous whistling ducks are found in Trinidad and Tobago, South America,
Southern U.S.A., and Africa.
They are the most cosmopolitan of all birds
since they live on four continents and very many islands, occupying a wide
variety of habitats, from lowland lakes and marshes to areas 5,000 ft. above sea
level with strangely no marked difference in size and colour. This, over
such a wide global range is quite extraordinary from the "evolutionary
aspect".
This remarkable duck is the only waterfowl species that
breeds naturally in all hemispheres.
They are active day and night.
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Habitat
Rice fields, swamplands, marshes with lots of reeds and swamp vegetation. |
Food
They are mostly omnivorous. They prefer grains as well as aquatic vegetation,
snails and invertebrates. |
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Voice
They also make a whistling sound but more squealing and less musical than the
Black-bellied Whistling Duck. High pitched, double whistle, harsh. |
Size
Wing Length: Approximately 220 mm
Weight: 830-850 grams 48 cm
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Main Predator
Man - Endangered from over hunting in Trinidad and Tobago.
Under management breeding at the Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust. To date
over 474 birds bred at the Trust have been released into their natural wild
habitat. |
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White-Faced Whistling Duck
(Dendrocygna
viduata)
White-faced Whistling Duck Characteristics
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Conspicuous "white faces" |
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Males and Females identical in colour
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Chestnut brown backs and breasts - slightly barred with black and white
sides |
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Nocturnal |
WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCK INFORMATION
The white faced whistling ducks are found in Trinidad and Tobago, and South
America.
These ducks are among the most attractive of the different species
of tree ducks. Though they belong to the family of tree ducks, these ducks
rarely roost in trees. This lovely duck is named after its facial colour. They
are nocturnal birds, mating and feeding at dusk and at night, and are very quiet
during the day. They are the most vocal of all tree ducks, calling constantly
particularly while feeding.
These ducks become flightless for 2-3 weeks
between November and January, when they remain close to the water and hide.
Unfortunately this flightless period takes place in the hunting season making
them easy prey.
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Habitat
Swamps and marshy areas. |
Food
They are omnivorous and prefer aquatic vegetation (95%), seeds and
insects. |
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Voice
Thin, melodic whistle. Clear, high-pitched, 2 or 3 notes together. |
Size
Wing Length: 230-236 mm
Weight: 587-630 grams 44 cm
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Main Predator Once locally extirpated in Trinidad, 62 birds were bred at the
Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust, and re-introduced into their natural wild
habitat between 1988 and now. Breeding continues at the Trust. |
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White-cheeked Pintail Characteristics
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Males have whiter cheeks, larger tails and brighter red at base of bill,
otherwise |
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They are very similar to Females Dark brown to Black in colour |
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Leg and feet are grey, bill is red, Tail has reddish buff |
WHITE CHEEKED PINTAIL INFORMATION
The white cheeked pintail is found in Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, and South
America.
The Pintail family is comprised of three distinct species and many
races. The most beautiful being the White-cheeked Pintail. This duck is named
after its facial colour and shape of tail-which does resemble a thick
pin.
These ducks are also called Dabbler ducks because they feed quite high
up on the water and dabble on the surface.
They are most active in the early
morning and dusk.
In captivity a silver-white form of this species of duck
has been developed called the Silver Pintail.
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Habitat
Mangrove and coastal swamps. |
Food
Aquatic vegetation. |
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Voice
Quacking (Female). Male has a faint squeak. During Courtship - soft peeping
noises. |
Size
Wing Length: 200-230 mm
Weight: 500-550 grams 43 cm
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Main Predator
Man - Endangered from over hunting in Trinidad and Tobago.
Once common in Trinidad, now rare and endangered. Prime habitats, the
Caroni and Oropouche swamps, are now poisoned and polluted. Not as rare in
Tobago. Under management breeding at the Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust. 142
have been released into the wild during the period 1992-present.
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Wild Muscovy Duck
(Cairina
moschata)
Wild Muscovy Duck Characteristics
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Almost pure black with iridescent green and purple reflections on the
wings and upper parts of their bodies
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Bills are barred black and pink |
WILD MUSCOVY DUCK INFORMATION
The Wild Muscovy duck is found in Trinidad and Tobago, South and Central
America, Mexico. Exported to Europe and the rest of the world in the early 16th
century. Common in-bred form exists everywhere today.
The Wild Muscovy is a
gregarious species. They move in flocks of 6-15. They are forest ducks, and are
also called Greater Wood Ducks. They prefer shady, wooded or forested areas that
are close to or surrounded by wetland areas. They roost in tree hollows or
crowns of Moriche palms.
The domesticated Muscovy Duck, also known as the
"Common Duck" is not a true species of duck, but the result of inbreeding of the
pure Wild Muscovy duck. Columbus, when he came to these islands, remarked that
the natives "had the most strange ducks that were as large as geese".
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Habitat
Forests near wetland areas, inland swamps. |
Food
Omnivorous, Termites and other insects, tadpoles and small reptiles, some
aquatic vegetation and grain. |
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Voice
Harsh Quack. |
Size
Wing Length: 400-500 mm
Weight: Up to 5 Kg. 66-89 cm
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Once locally extirpated in Trinidad,
589 birds were bred at the
Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust, and re-introduced into their natural wild
habitat between 1988 and now. Breeding continues at the Trust. |
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