Plumed Whistling-duck
Wurruma Swamp in February 2020
The first time I ever saw a Plumed Whistling-duck was a solitary bird at Wurruma Swamp in February 2020. Never seen one there again. They are very distinctive looking birds with long lanceolate off white plumes that extend over their backs.
Hastie’s Swamp, May 2021.
Their sides are a rich chestnut barred black, underwings pale brown and feet pink. Eyes are an orange-yellow. Their wings whistle in flight.
Hastie’s Swamp, June 2022.
Males and females look alike. The birds are monogamous and usually lay between 8 and 14 eggs.
Hastie’s Swamp, May 2021.
They are usually seen in large flocks and the place in my world to see large flocks of Plumed Whistling Ducks is Hastie’s Swamp.
Hastie’s Swamp May 2022.
Every year they fly in to nest and breed at Hastie’s Swamp which is a favourite place of mine to practise bird in fllght photography.
Hastie’s Swamp, April 2021.
They nest in long grass so that often means photographing them through grass during the breeding season from February to April.
July 2020 - Hasties Swamp
Their voice is a high pitched whistle. Back in July 2020 they were there in the thousands and the noise was deafening. When you see a group of them together you soon realise where they get their name from.
Tablelands Swamp, March 2021. Two Wandering Whistling Ducks to the left.
They do not stay still for very long and can often be seen around and interacting with Wandering Whistling Ducks.
Hastie’s Swamp, July 2020.
The main place to see them is at the edges of wetlands or on grass grazing. They feed mainly after dusk.
Hastie’s Swamp, July 2022.
For feeding they can often fly long distances in search of food and usually fly in groups.
Hastie’s Swamp, July 2020.
You can see from this photo that the top of their wings are brown.
Hastie’s Swamp, May 2021.
They rarely swim or dive but if there is food down there they will dive.
Hastie’s Swamp, April 2020.
Taking photos in the rain can be difficult because the light is usually poor but these birds are very active during rain……so I often photograph them …….in rain!
Hastie’s Swamp, July 2022.
Watching them land can be a very entertaining past time even in the rain, but more so in finer weather :)
Hastie’s Swamp, July 2022.
Leucistic Plumed Whistling Duck - if you get really lucky :)
Hastie’s Swamp, July 2023.
This I believe is referred to as a Leucistic bird which unlike albino birds have some pigment in their feathers or other body parts, such as their feet, eyes or beak.
Hastie’s Swamp, July 2023.
I have so many photos of Plumed Whistling Ducks and the weather was not so good for photos so I nearly left my camera in the car on this day.
Hastie’s Swamp, July 2023.
Glad I did not as I have never seen one with a white body. Only got to see it for about a minute or so before it flew off.