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Duck ID?

Discussion

4 replies
Posted by Daniel Loomis on June 21, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Duck ID?
Caught this duck on the wing at Felsenthal NWR in South Central Arkansas in early June. Not sure of ID.
Posted by Daniel Loomis on June 21, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Here is another view. It was perched near an old Wood Duck nest hole.
Light was poor and distance about 200 yards, so quality is minimal.
Posted by Mia McPherson on June 21, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Daniel

It is a Black-bellied Whistling Duck, a bit uncommon for Arkansas

Posted by Ron Bielefeld on June 21, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Daniel, BBWDs are cavity nesters, so it may nest in that old wood duck cavity.
Posted by Charles Mills on July 7, 2009 at 8:09 PM
Lia and Ron previously supplied the correct ID. However, the species is actually not all that uncommon in southwestern Arkansas (especially along the Red River) where I've encountered flocks totaling around 200 individuals. And, while it is generally uncommon elsewhere in the state, it is popping up with increasing frequency in all sections.