Lesser Whistling Duck

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Lesser Whistling Duck
Lesser Whistling Duck in Santragachi Lake, Kolkata, IN
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Genus: Dendrocygna Species: D. javanica
Binomial name
Dendrocygna javanica (Horsfield, 1821)

The Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica, also known as Indian Whistling Duck, is a small whistling duck which breeds in India and southeast Asia.

This is an abundant species in Asia. It is largely resident, apart from local movements, but Chinese birds winter further south. It nests in tree holes, old nests of other birds, or on a stick platform near the ground, and lays 6-12 eggs.

The habitat is still freshwater lakes, with plentiful vegetation, where this duck feeds on seeds and other vegetation.

This species has a long grey bill, long head and longish legs. It has a buff head, neck and underparts, and a darker crown. The back and wings are darkish grey, and there are chestnut patches on the wings and tail. All plumages are similar.

This species is gregarious, and at favoured sites, such as Carambolin Lake in India, the flocks of a thousand or more birds arriving at dawn are an impressive sight. As the name implies, these are noisy birds with a clear whistling call.

[edit] References

• BirdLife International (2004). Dendrocygna javanica. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
• Wildfowl by Madge and Burn, ISBN 0-7470-2201-1
• Birds of Goa (video)