Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks

Richard Rathe, July 2026

Consider the Black-Bellied Whistling Duck! (One of the better bird names IMO.) Larger than average ducks, longer neck, pink bill & feet, used to be called tree ducks. I see these very early in the morning and occasionally a pair on a nearby dock. Only learned recently that they are mostly active at night, which is why I wasn't aware they were around.

And the best part, they actually whistle, no quacking here!

I took these up close photos in 2015 at the Sweetwater Wetlands Park…