This long necked, handsome duck can be found in Central America and South Africa issuing a high-pitched whistle to would be mates, diving into the water, popping up with a splash, flapping wings vigorously and preening feathers and may be the cutest duck I have ever met.
You won’t find them in US waterways, but they are very common in American zoos. The White Faced Whistling Duck is an active self fluffer & preener, spending an extraordinary amount of time making every feather perfect. Some scientists suggest that their less-than-striking colors make the males over-anxious about attracting a mate compared to other duck species, so they spend more time getting ready for their duck dates. In my research, not all of them look as clean and perfect as those living at the Houston Zoo. But I suppose those in the wild have more work to do like attracting mates and staying alive.
Speaking of trying to stay alive, every carnivore happens to be their natural predator, including birds of prey and even humans. And since they are not a threatened species you can even serve them for dinner.
You won’t find them in US waterways, but they are very common in American zoos. The White Faced Whistling Duck is an active self fluffer & preener, spending an extraordinary amount of time making every feather perfect. Some scientists suggest that their less-than-striking colors make the males over-anxious about attracting a mate compared to other duck species, so they spend more time getting ready for their duck dates. In my research, not all of them look as clean and perfect as those living at the Houston Zoo. But I suppose those in the wild have more work to do like attracting mates and staying alive.
Speaking of trying to stay alive, every carnivore happens to be their natural predator, including birds of prey and even humans. And since they are not a threatened species you can even serve them for dinner.
© Photography by Brenda Colwell