I was sitting in the family room on Friday afternoon when Lynn came in, saw these birds behind our house, and asked me what they were. If she hadn’t asked, I never would have noticed them. Maybe my chair should face the window instead of the TV?
I quickly grabbed my camera and took a few shots through the window and screen and then went out on the other side of the house to get this unobstructed view. I’m glad my birding lens was still mounted!
Black-bellied whistling duck family. There’s another adult and one more juvenile out of the frame to the right.
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks are common here in Central Florida year round, although I’ve never seen them in our neighborhood before. They were previously known as the “Black-bellied Tree Duck” since they’re often found roosting and nesting in trees. They’re monogamous, which is unusual in ducks. Also unusual is their high-pitched whistling call which you’ll remember the first time you hear it.
After adding a few minutes of excitement to our afternoon, this family strolled on down the street and disappeared. I was glad they stopped by – maybe we’ll spot them again.
Thanks Lynn for asking about them and thanks to all of you for stopping by and reading my blog. Now – go make some photos!
©2018, Ed Rosack. All rights reserved
The Black Bellied Whistling Ducks are what launched me into bird photography. They showed up at our storm water retention pond in 2005. There have been BBWDs at our pond ever since.
Hi Jim,
You’re lucky to have that pond in your back yard – duck photos are more interesting with water instead of grass.
The first time I saw these was back in 2009 at Orlando Wetlands Park (https://edrosack.com/2009/07/04/black-bellied-whistling-ducks-at-orlando-wetlands-park/). They’ve been a favorite bird ever since.
Ed
That’s a stellar picture. I saw this type of duck few days ago in Lake Louisa SP.
Thanks Laura. That was the first (and last) time we’ve seen them in the yard.