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FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) is a species of whistling ducks that originated from Southeast Asia. As the name suggests, they are known to make a whistling sound. But the bird species is not only restricted to these sounds as they also make a whirring noise when in flight. The bird is also known to actively seek out our company and have an endearing personality. However, they are not quite as hardy as other bird species of the same genus and because of this reason, they are not very commonly seen as pets.
A member of the Anatidae family, genus Dendrocygna consists of different species of tree ducks and whistling ducks. They are not considered true ducks. The spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) has a large range of habitats and this means that the population is quite large and well distributed. Almost 25,000 individuals of these birds can be found currently all over the world.
For more relatable content, check out the facts about the great green macaw and the night parrot.
The spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) is a species of duck native to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
These birds fall under the class of Aves in the kingdom of Animalia.
The population of the spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) species is found to be around 6700-17000 currently distributed over an area of 2,173,755 mi2 (5,630,000 km2). The birds are not endemic to a particular region.
The spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) is evenly distributed in the southern Philippines, New Guinea, and Wallacea. A small number of these birds have recently been seen in the town of Weipa of Australia. Weipa is on the western coast of Cape York Peninsula. These birds are said to have originated from southeastern Asian countries of the Philippines, Indonesia, and New Guinea. They are the most common wildfowl and are well distributed in New Guinea.
The spotted whistling duck habitat consists of freshwater wetlands and marshes. It is found in shaded grassy banks and scattered trees along the coast. This enables the ducks to perch over water. They are also found in partly submerged logs of waterside trees and vegetation on top of water bodies.
There is not much information about the spotted whistling duck migration. The bird needs to be housed indoors during the winter season and should be given enough heat during the harsh weather seasons.
They do not form very large groups like other waterfowls. But sometimes are seen in large concentrations mixed with other duck species. Even in captivity, the bird is found to make pairs and live in aviaries with other duck species. However, they are often seen being aggressive to other whistling ducks.
The spotted whistling duck life span ranges up to 15 years in captivity. These ducks' lifespan in the wild is unknown.
The spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) is arboreal and is seen nesting in hollow tree trunks near water. There can be more than one clutch per year. The pairs have strong bonds. An average of 10-12 white, round eggs are laid by the females and incubated by both parents. The incubation period is 28-31 days. The ducklings can leave the nest easily with their sharp nails and stiff tails. They are fully feathered in seven weeks and the fledging period is eight weeks. The ducklings receive adult plumage in a year and reach sexual maturity in two years.
The conservation status of the spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) is categorized as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. The population is not at risk and is quite stable in their regions of occurrence of Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, and Australia.
The spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) resembles the plumed whistling duck and West Indian whistling duck. The spotted whistling duck is brown in color with a pale gray throat and a white belly. Underparts of the bird are lighter than the upperparts and the feathers have light red-brown edges. It has pale whitish spots on the neck, breast, and flanks. The birds have a pinkish coloration to the otherwise dark gray beak, legs, and feet. A dark crest, small in size, can be seen raised when the waterfowl is excited. Males and females look the same. Juveniles do not have prominent white spots like adults. They are darker in color.
*Please note that this is an image of a Fulvous Whistling-Duck, not a Spotted Whistling Duck specifically. If you have an image of a Spotted Whistling Duck, then please let us know at [email protected].
Ducks are considered pretty cute because of their habits and also the beautiful plumage.
Communication is achieved by repeated, low whistling sounds.
The length of the spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) ranges from 16.9-19.6 in (43-50 cm). They have a wingspan of 33.4-37.4 in (85-95 cm). The male spotted whistling duck size is similar to the female species. The length of one of the largest ducks found in the world, the Muscovy duck, with its range of habitat limited to Mexico and Central and South America ranges from 26-33 in (66-84 cm).
The speed of the spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) is unknown. However, they are pretty quick and often seen flying to and from feeding zones. They make whirring sounds while flying which makes the birds pretty recognizable.
The weight of the spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) ranges up to 1.76 lb (800 g).
Males and females of the spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) are not given different names.
A baby spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) is called a chick or a duckling.
The diet of the spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) consists of different aquatic plants, grasses, plant seeds, aquatic invertebrates, and small fish. Predators include birds of prey and snakes.
The bird in this family is not at all dangerous.
These waterfowl are kept as pets and are somewhat popular in captivity too. However, they are a little aggressive when kept with other species of the same genera. As pets, their diet consists of different waterfowl food, green plant materials, insects, and worms, giving them different vitamins and minerals.
The bird is known for its ability to swim underwater for a longer period of time. The spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) can swim underwater for up to 20 seconds.
The spotted whistling duck (Dendrocygna guttata) is known to form very strong bonds in pairs. They probably mate for life.
They can lay up to 16 eggs at a time.
This duck is a member of the family of Anatidae which constitutes different species of ducks, geese, and swans. The genus Dendrocygna has eight living species of whistling ducks. The species spotted whistling duck is a member of the same genus. There is also an undescribed extinct species in the same genus of the birds. Many of the known whistling ducks like the wandering whistling duck and the plumed whistling duck are found exclusively in Australia. The fulvous whistling duck is found in Africa, the American continent, and the Indian subcontinent.
As the population of the whistling duck species found worldwide is growing and quite stable at the moment, they are consumed in many parts all over the globe. Their meat is considered quite similar to red meat and is quite tender and moist with flavorful fat. They are similar to any other duck in the world and the cooking methods are similar too. The ducks do not taste anything like the chicken that the world consumes in large numbers every day.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our rhinoceros hornbill facts and boreal chickadee facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our Spotted Whistling Duck coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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