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 I’ve seen a flock of Black Bellied Whistling-Ducks around Tortuga Lake for the past few days. They can be seen in the evenings from around 5:30 to 6, as they return from the day’s foraging.
Whistling-Ducks are also known as Tree-Ducks, but only a few, such as the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck actually perch or nest in trees. While they look most like ducks, their behavior of forming long term pair-bonds, more resembles geese or swans.
Their call is a high-pitched, soft wheezy whistle of four notes to six notes, accented on second or third syllable. Male and female of the species look similar.
The Black Bellied Whistling-Duck can be found in the Southern part of the United States through Mexico, Central and South America. In the Texas, many birders travel to the State every year just for a glimpse of this duck. If you come out to Coronado with your camera, you can get quite close and get some great pictures.
While you are enjoying the Whistling Duck around Tortuga Lake, you can also capture on chip a number of other birds in the area, such as Southern Lapwings, Neotropic Comorants, Anhingas, Tanagers, Orioles, Flycathers, Parakeets and Kiskadees to name a few.
The pictures below were taken around Tortuga Lake. Click any picture for get a closer look.
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