One of my favorite ducks with pink feet. Photographed at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge.
(Be sure to click on the Photo for a good look).
Addendum added Mar 11:
The Black-bellied Whistling Duck lies somewhere between a goose and a true duck in appearance. The male and female are similar in appearance. This is probably a pair. They can be found in deep south Texas year-round. I believe there is also a breeding population in Florida. There are also found in southern Arizona in the summer. Just from personal experience, it seems they may be expanding their range as we see them further north in Texas now.
When we first started going to the Valley years ago, it was quite uncommon to see one. Now they are a regular sight. We see them feeding in grass and rice fields as well as tipping up in edges of ponds and grassy areas on lakes. They can be seen in trees as well as on floating masses of vegetation as are these pictured here.
They are so cool as they call constantly in flight.
They are like a wood duck in that they will nest in cavities and man-made boxes if the hole is large enough.
Troy
