Black Bellied Whistling-Ducks Seen in Coronado

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.

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.