Hi to all! I have just signed on and thought I would start out with this image that I took just last week. We have had an abundance of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks at the wetlands that I mostly shoot at. These guys are alot of fun to watch and try to get interesting poses. I really like this one. Taken with the Nikon D300s and Nikon 500 f/4, with the 1.4TC attached, f/7.1, 1/1600, iso 640 attached to the Quick Action Harness. Hope you like .

Hi Nancy,

Welcome aboard. Very nice photo. I have never seen a Black-bellied Whistling Duck before (much less two of them). May I ask what area of Florida you are from?

James

James thanks!! I live near Orlando. This was taken at my favorite wetlands, which is about an hour from me in Viera, Florida about 15 miles south of Titusville.

That is a very cute photograh, and it displays personality and a story. Nice to here how it was taken as well.

Welcome to the forum!

I've seen a similar duck, the West Indian whistling duck, are they the same?

Nolad, I am not sure.

No, they are not the same species.

As far as I know, the West Indian whistling duck officialy just "Indian whistling duck" or mostly known Lesser duck (Dendrocygna javanicais) inhabit in South-Southeast Asia (It is not reside in America)

There are two species of whistling duck living in America, the Black-bellied Whistling Duck, (Dendrocygna autumnalis) and the Fulvous Whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor).

But actualy the Fulvous Whistling duck are looking quiet similar as the Indian whistling duck.

The Fulvous Whistling duck got dark grey bill and brown bellie, the Black-bellied Whistling Duck got red bill, and black bellie. This is the best way to distinguish from each other.

Beautiful birds and cool capture!

Diana