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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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Similar species |
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Photos |
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ADULT |
Frontal view of a Plumed Whistling-Duck
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, April 2018]
Plumed Whistling-Ducks entering the water
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, April 2018]
Pair of Plumed Whistling-Ducks on a farm dam; probably the male is
leading the female
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2011]
Lateral view of Plumed Whistling-Ducks
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, April 2018]
Plumed Whistling-Ducks in brilliant sunlight
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, August 2017]
Plumed Whistling-Ducks in brillian sunlight
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, August 2017]
Plumed Whistling-Ducks seen on a pond
[Rockhampton, QLD, July 2009]
Plumed Whistling-Ducks seen on a pond
[Rockhampton, QLD, July 2009]
Overview of about half of all Plumed Whistling-Ducks seen on one pond
[Rockhampton, QLD, July 2009]
Nine of about 50 Plumed Whistling-Ducks spotted by us at a
farm dam
[Near Narrabri, NSW, January 2009]
Plumed Whistling-Ducks on the banks of a farm dam
[Near Narrabri, NSW, January 2009]
In this photo the evening light illuminates the plumes very conspicuously
[Near Narrabri, NSW, January 2009]
Flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks on water
[Near Kenebri, NSW, April 2011]
Flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks on water (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[Moree, NSW, April 2014]
Flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks on the ground (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]
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]
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]
Ventral view of a Plumed Whistling-Duck in flight; the
left wing is partly obscured by the foliage of a tree,
but the right underwing can be seen in its true colours
[Near Narrabri, NSW, April 2018]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Family of Plumed Whistling-Ducks; note how similar the (smaller)
juveniles are to the leading adult
(photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
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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]
"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_20151222.mp3 | (NW NSW) | Contact calls | © MD | |
plwduck_20141206_3.mp3 | (NW NSW) |
Contact calls (Flock in flight) |
© MD |
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.
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