| Common Name | Black-bellied Whistling Duck |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dendrocygna autumnalis |
| Type of Report | Rare Species |
| Date of Observation | 05/09/2022 |
| Number Observed | 13 |
| Reporting Observer's Name | Don Clark |
| Mailing Address | 244 Bull Hill Rd PO Box 86 Grafton, Vermont 05146 United States Map It |
| Email hidden; Javascript is required. | |
| Date Completed | 11/13/2022 |
| Names & Emails of Other Contributing Observers | Martha Adams martha.adams60@ gmail.com |
| Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 0 |
| Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 0 |
| Place Name | Herricks Cove |
| Township | Rockingham |
| County | Windham |
| Vermont eBird Checklist URL | ebird.org |
| Time of Day | 10:00 AM |
| Length of Time Observed | One minute |
| Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 100' |
| Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 100' |
| Noteworthy Weather Conditions | clear & sunny |
| Optical Equipment Used for Observation | 7x42 Zeiss |
| Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species | Texas, Florida, Vermont |
| I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event. | |
| Description of Habitat | River & cove |
| Behaviors Observed | Birds were observed from below in flight only flying upriver in a group with slow, steady wingbeats. |
| Description of Vocalizations | none heard |
| Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation | Birds were observed from below in flight only flying upriver in a group with slow, steady wingbeats. What was noticeable was the larger size from the local ducks (mallards etc) and the color pattern with lighter head, neck & breast in contrast to a very dark belly. Also the legs stood out as they extended beyond the tail unlike our local waterfowl. |
| Relative Size & Shape | Large ducks with fairly long wings. |
| Head | Head, neck & breast were light, looking tan from the distance observed. |
| Feet & Bill | Didn't catch bill because of distance and short time of observation. Noticed legs extended beyond tail. |
| Upper Back | Only observed from below. |
| Lower Back & Rump | Only observed from below. |
| Wings | Black wings below. Could not see upper wings as they were directly overhead so unfortunately could not see the white wing patches either. |
| Breast, Belly, Flanks, Under Tail Coverts | What stood out was the tan looking neck & breast in contrast to the dark, blackish belly. |
| Tail | Did not notice. |
| IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different? | All of our regular waterfowl because of leg extension & size and Fulvous because of black belly. |
| Other Notes & Comments | As soon as I saw them I called out to Martha that they looked like Whistling ducks. I also discussed them with birding friends the following day with hopes they would show up again further North. I have seen them in Florida and Texas as well as here in Vermont a few years ago. Wished I had a longer time to study them but with the body pattern and extended legs I feel comfortable calling them. Unfortunately was unable to see the white wing patches from below or catch them again heading N. |
| This report was written from notes taken: | Immediately After |
Vermont Atlas of Life Partners
