These long-necked ducks are found in warm climates in Africa, Asia and North and South America. Fulvous whistling ducks are skilled divers and swimmers that live in wetlands and aquatic habitats.
The life of a fulvous whistling duck
Fulvous whistling ducks grow 19 to 21 inches, weigh one to two pounds and live 10 years in the wild, or up to 20 years in human care.
Fulvous whistling ducks often mate for life. After mating, they may be seen treading water side by side with their chests puffed out, necks craned and a wing raised on either side. Females lay 12 to 14 eggs at a time, sometimes laying eggs in others’ nests. These shared nests can sometimes include more than 60 eggs! Nests are made from grass, sedges and cattails. Males and females both tend to the eggs.
Fulvous whistling ducks mainly feed on plant material including seeds, wild millet and smartweed, though they do eat some aquatic insects.
Their predators include skunks, raccoons and opossums.
Fulvous whistling ducks at the zoo
Located in the swamp aviary.
