The Plumed Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna eytoni) is a wetlands bird. It is also known as the Grass Whistle Duck, the Red-Legged Whistler, or the Whistling Tree-Duck.

The Plumed Whistling Duck has white side plumes (feathers) with black margins that stick out. It has brown upperparts, paler underparts, and a white rump. It chest is chestnut-brown with thin black bars.  It has a long neck. Its beak is pink with black markings, and its legs are pink. Its eyes are orange-yellow.

 

It measures 42-60 centimetres (16-23 inches) tall.

The Plumed Whistling Duck is from eastern, northern, and central Australia, as well as New Guinea. It prefers tall grasslands and savannahs near water.

Instead of diving in the water for food, it feeds on land, eating grass.

Its nest is made in the grass. The female lays 10-12 eggs, which hatch after about 30 days.

 

 

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM