West indian whistling-duck

The West Indian Whistling Duck is widely scattered throughout the West Indies including a large breeding population in the Bahamas, and smaller numbers in Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and Jamaica. It is largely sedentary, apart from local movements which can be 100 km or more. Nests have been reported in tree cavities, on branches, in clumps of bromeliads, and on the ground under thatch palms and other dense bushes. The usual clutch size is 10-16 eggs. It habitually perches in trees, which gives rise to its specific name.

The West indian whistling-duck is classified as Vulnerable (VU), considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

The West Indian whistling-duck is a large, upright, long-necked duck. Adults are deep brown in colour, with black-and-white markings on the flanks, a whitish abdomen and black bill (2). This species can also be identified by its shrill‘chiriria’ whistle (5). Range - As the name suggests this bird is found in the West Indies. More

As its name suggest, the West Indian Whistling-Duck has a distribution confined to the Caribbean and it has a distinctive whistling vocalization. Interpretations of this whistled call have given rise to a number of local names for the species including "Chiriria", a Spanish name used in Puerto Rico. Unfortunately this species, the only endemic waterfowl to the Caribbean, though once common now has a fragmented distribution and greatly reduced population. More

West Indian Whistling-duck and Wetlands Conservation Project = BirdLife West Indian Whistling-duck Dendrocygna arborea Zoom In The is an initiative of the WIWD Working Group of the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds (SCSCB) that is supported by BirdLife International. The project seeks to improve the status of the globally threatened WIWD and wetlands throughout the Caribbean. More

The West Indian Whistling-Duck Working Group (WIWDWG) of the SCSCB is working to reverse the decline of the endangered West Indian Whistling-Duck, a Caribbean endemic species, and to prevent the further loss and degradation of wetlands in the West Indies. The WIWDWG believes that environmental education and public outreach are crucial to achieving its objectives of long-term conservation and sustainable use of native species and habitats in the West Indies. More

The West Indian Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna arborea) in the Birds. Damisela. More

Learn more about the West Indian Whistling-Duck on our Bird of the Month page! West Indian Whistling-Duck - Bird of the Month, June 2006 Please visit the home page of the West Indian Whistling-Duck and Wetlands Conservation Project to find out more: www.whistlingduck. More

The West Indian Whistling-Duck (WIWD) is endemic to the West Indies, meaning that it is found nowhere else in the world. The species is classified as globally threatened, with a total population probably between10,000 to 20,000 birds; it is rare and endangered on many islands throughout its range. More

The West Indian Whistling-Duck (WIWD) and Wetlands Conservation Project seeks to reverse the decline of the globally threatened WIWD and the continuing loss of wetlands throughout the Caribbean. Initiated in 1997, the program provides local teachers and educators with training and educational materials and works to raise public awareness and appreciation for the value of local wetlands. More