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Plumed Whistling-DuckAlternate name(s): "Plumed Tree-duck", "Gras Whistle Duck", "Eyton's Tree-duck" ![]() Size: 40-60 cm Weight: 0.6-1.4 kg |
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Photos |
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ADULT |
Sex unknown |
Frontal view of a Plumed Whistling-Duck
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, April 2018]
Frontal view of a Plumed Whistling-Duck
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Wetlands, Moggill, QLD, February 2022]
Frontal view of Plumed Whistling-Ducks
(photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Kakadu NP,
NT, July 2020]
Plumed Whistling-Ducks entering water
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, April 2018]
Three of a flock of about 200 Plumed Whistling-Ducks
(photo courtesy of
V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2020]
Close-up lateral view of a Plumed Whistling-Duck
(photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Billabong Sanctuary, Townsville, QLD, November 2021]
Close-up lateral view of a Plumed Whistling-Duck
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kakadu NP,
NT, July 2020]
Lateral view of a Plumed Whistling-Duck
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Wetlands, Moggill, QLD, February 2022]
Lateral view of a Plumed Whistling-Duck
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, February 2020]
Lateral view of Plumed Whistling-Ducks
(photo courtesy of
V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2021]
Lateral view of Plumed Whistling-Ducks
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, April 2018]
Dorsal view of a Plumed Whistling-Duck
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Wetlands, Moggill, QLD, February 2022]
Plumed Whistling-Ducks in brilliant sunlight
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, August 2017]
Plumed Whistling-Ducks in brilliant sunlight
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, August 2017]
Overview of about half of all Plumed Whistling-Ducks seen on one pond
[Rockhampton, QLD, July 2009]
Part of a small flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Rapid Creek, Darwin, NT, January 2020]
Plumed Whistling-Ducks resting in shallow water
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[McMinns Lagoon, near Darwin, NT, July 2019]
Flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks on water
(photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[Moree, NSW, April 2014]
Flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks on land (photo courtesy of
C. Hayne)
Mixed flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks and Wandering Whistling-Ducks in a
tropical flood plain,
avoiding a saltwater crocodile (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Mary River, NT, August 2008]
This photo of landing Plumed Whistling-Ducks shows clearly
that the plumes are attached to the body, not to the wings
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Marlow Lagoon, Palmerston, NT, February 2019]
Flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks taking to the air (photo courtesy of
C. Hayne)
Flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks in flight (photo courtesy of
C. Hayne)
[Moree, NSW, April 2014]
Plumed Whistling-Ducks in flight; here one can see clearly that the
plumes grow on the body and are not part of the wings
[Kenebri, NSW, February 2009]
Flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks in flight
[Burren Junction, NSW, December 2014]
Lateral view of Plumed Whistling-Ducks in direct comparison with a
Royal Spoonbill
[Rockhampton, QLD, July 2009]
Lateral view of Plumed Whistling-Ducks in direct comparison with a
Spur-winged Plover
and a Magpie Goose
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Marlow Lagoon, Palmerston, NT, February 2019]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Near-lateral view of a juvenile Plumed Whistling-Duck with an adult behind
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Wetlands, Moggill, QLD, February 2022]
Lateral view of a family of Plumed Whistling-Ducks; note how similar the
(smaller) juveniles are to the leading adult
(photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
Dorsal view of a juvenile Plumed Whistling-Duck with an adult behind
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Wetlands, Moggill, QLD, February 2022]
Pair of Plumed Whistling-Ducks guiding their two ducklings to safety
[Burren Junction Bore Bath, NSW, December 2020]
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Behaviour |
Social behaviour: Communal | Mobility: Nomadic | Elementary unit: Large flock |
Even on small waters, such as a farm
dam,
Plumed Whistling-Ducks can appear in huge numbers, up to thousands
at a time (photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Near Mount Molloy, QLD, June 2015]
About half of a flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks around a farm
dam
(photo courtesy of M. Windeyer)
[Berida-Bullagreen Road, central western NSW, October 2020]
"Small" flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks next to a farm
dam
[Near Narrabri, NSW, April 2018]
When a flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks alights, it can
raise dust off the parched inland soil
[Near Narrabri, NSW, April 2018]
Small flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks above a farm
dam
- who can spot the
odd one out?
[Near Narrabri, NSW, April 2018]
Overview of a small flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks -
who would like to count them? Don't miss the two stragglers!
[Near Narrabri, NSW, April 2018]
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Food, Diet |
Like all other geese, ducks and swans, Plumed Whistling-Ducks are mostly vegetarian. They feed on plants on land.
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Call(s)/Song |
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own;
comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
plwduck_20210102.m4a | (NW NSW) | Contact call (in-flight) | © MD | |
plwduck_20210102_2.m4a | (NW NSW) | Contact calls (in-flight) | © MD | |
plwduck_20201110_4.m4a | (NW NSW) | Contact calls | © MD | |
plwduck_20201110_3.m4a | (NW NSW) | Contact calls (arrival, with Australian Wood Duck) | © MD | |
plwduck_20201110.m4a | (NW NSW) | Getting nervous & departure (small flock) | © MD | |
plwduck_20220130.m4a | (NW NSW) | Various (5 in-flight) | © MD | |
plwduck_20201110_2.m4a | (NW NSW) | ? (small flock) | © MD |
More Plumed Whistling-Duck sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.