Whistling Ducks !!

 Dec 20, 2023


An alert reader suggested that we take a holiday break from alligators and focus on some critters that are less toothy and more cuddly. In so doing, it seems like a good opportunity to talk about ducks. The above photo is of a Black Bellied Whistling Duck (heretofore to be known as a BBWD).

I never heard about BBWD's until about a year ago. I don't why that is, but now I hear about them a lot. To my knowledge, there are none in the condo community where I live. I first saw some this year at a golf course, and the photos in today's post were all taken at a different golf course in Tarpon Springs. I've looked at their ranges in the Audubon Guide (the vintage of mine is late 70's), and there is migration up into Louisiana, but nothing north of Fort Myers in FL for year-round residency. Latest range graphs are further north (including Tampa Bay), but vary so much that I wonder about the accuracy. Nevertheless, they are here now, and I never heard of them in my previous 11 years in FL.

As the name implies, they don't quack. They whistle. I've never personally heard that since it seems to be a night-time/twilight/dawn thing. Here is a YouTube video to give you a listen... Maybe they only whistle while they work.

https://youtu.be/9PMt9sNLFCM

These are very cute ducks. Here are a few more photos from the golf course..


In this photo, you get a good look at a duckling on the left who has a leaf across his bill. He was named "Leafy Bill" by an alert reader, for obvious reasons. You can see him again with the crowd in the next photo (with leaf intact).

Closer to home, there has been a paucity of ducklings in this community. I saw some several months ago, but not since. Due to the alligator population, they seem to have a short half-life here. But, just a couple days ago I saw 7 growing ducklings dabbling behind my building.

These look a lot like Mallards, but are actually "Florida Ducks" (aka "Mottled Mallards"). They are a sub-species unique to the FL peninsula Gulf Coast, and after years of evolution, the males and females are virtually indistinguishable. It was heartening to see that they have made it this far with a good portion of the brood remaining. The parents have done a good job keeping them "under wraps" (get the holiday analogy?).

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!



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