Quick identification
Black-bellied whistling-duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
A long-legged chestnut duck with a gray head, pink bill and bold white wing patch visible in flight. Its clear whistled call often gives a flock away.
Season and local range: Year-round resident, often more conspicuous in warm months.
Habitat and island setting
Freshwater ponds, marsh edges, lawns and roost trees near wetland habitat.
Where to look
Start around freshwater features at the Birding and Nature Center and Convention Centre, then listen overhead near dusk. Birds may move as tides, wind, fronts, water levels and activity at the site change.
What the bird is doing
Whistling-ducks perch readily and gather in family groups. Do not feed them; concentrated handouts change behavior and degrade water around roost sites.
Watching birds
Use binoculars or a camera zoom, stay on public paths and leave feeding, resting and nesting birds enough room to continue normal behavior. If a bird stops feeding, stands alert, calls repeatedly or moves away because of you, increase the distance. Check access information in the South Padre Island birding guide before making a special trip.