White-Faced Whistling Ducks
Meet a bird that knows how to whistle. We are home to females ‘Fern’ and ‘Cessna’.
At home in waters around the world
White-faced whistling ducks have a large range and are found in wetland areas including rivers and lakes from Africa to South America. While at home in the water, these ducks are known to roost in trees. Like all species of whistling ducks, this species is known for its high-pitched contact call whistle.
- IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (at relatively low risk of extinction)
- Type: Bird
- Habitat: Wetland areas in Central America, South America, sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar
- Diet: Omnivore – grasses, seeds, and aquatic invertebrates
- Size: 40 centimetres long
- Weight: 0.68 kilograms
facts about our animals
Fun Facts about White-Faced Whistling Ducks
When alarmed, these ducks stand up and freeze to monitor a threat.
Juveniles lack white feathers on their face and overall have duller plumage than adults.
White-faced whistling ducks are nocturnal feeders.
After breeding, this species moults for 18 to 25 days, and they do not fly at this time.
Because they may nest and roost in trees, this species is also known as the white-faced tree duck.
Females are slightly larger than males.
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