Fulvous
Whistling-duck:
UK Status: Non resident, and introduced into
the UK in collections, occasionally one, or two escape. Also known as
the Fulvous Tree Duck.
Habitat:
This duck prefers well vegetated wetlands and also paddy fields. They
are found in the southern parts of the USA, Mexico, other parts of south
America, the West Indies, Sub Saharan Africa, and the Indian
subcontinent.
Breeding:
Nests are made from pieces of the local vegetation, and are unlined.
They are constructed near to water in thick vegetation, and some times
in a hole in a tree trunk. Females lay around ten whitish eggs which
hatch in about three, to four weeks. Ducklings are grey and fluffy.
Despite natural predators, and mankinds effort to curb it's numbers,
this is a very successful duck in it's given range.
Comment:
These ducks make a kind of whistling noise rather than a quacking sound.
Males and females are have the same colouration, the females are usually
duller, and not so boldly coloured as the males.