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White-Faced Whistling Duck


White-Faced Whistling Duck
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6166] (21070)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-11-28
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-09-22 16:01
Viewed: 327
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
White-Faced Whistling Duck
Dendrocygna viduata

DESCRIPTION:
Adult male has front half of head and throat white; rest of head and neck black with white patch on underside of neck; lower neck and wing shoulders chestnut; flanks barred black on white; rest of underparts, underside of wings, rump and tail black; back and scapulars olive brown edged with golden buff, eye brown, bill black, feet, toes and webs blue with black markings. The female is similar but has front of head and neck spot tinged with rust color.

GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE AND HABITAT:
Widespread in Africa from Gambia and Ethiopia in the north to Natal and Madagascar. Also in the West Indies and South America. They occupy a wide range of habitats: fresh water lakes, dams, reservoirs, marshes, swamps, pans on flood plains, sewage farms.

DIET:
Invertebrates such as aquatic insects, mollusks and crustaceans as well as aquatic plants, seeds and rice. Commonly obtain food by diving.

LIFE CYCLE/SOCIAL STRUCTURE:
A highly social species with flocks often numbering in the hundreds. Mutual preening is highly developed, and is important for permanent pair bonding. Foraging is primarily at night, so there is much nocturnal flying. There is a good deal of nomadic movement of the birds. They are often found in association with the fulvous whistling duck. Copulation occurs in the water. The female lays six to twelve eggs in a shallow depression on dry ground. Both sexes brood for 26 to 28 days. The ducklings are kept hidden in the reeds. They fledge in about two months.

SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS:
Although it has the long neck and long legs of other tree ducks, it does not spend much time perched in trees but prefers sand banks. It behaves more like a goose or swan than a typical duck.

This photo was taken at the San Diego Zoo.

Source
Miss_Piggy, maurydv, siggi, goldyrs, ferranjlloret, tcr has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hallo Manyee
What a lovely shot. You have managed to capture this beautiful black and white Duck in a lovely posing mood, displaying all the details so well. The splendour of the brightly coloured plumage is displayed with great clarity. A beautiful perspective, with sharp details and focus. Really an amazing portrait. Thanks for sharing, it was a great pleasure stopping by.Best regards
Anna

Hello Manyee,
a splendid portrait of the White-Faced Whistling Duck, superb sharpness and marvellous light, very beautiful colours, excellent POV and composition with a great eye contact.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1380 W: 56 N: 4759] (16364)
  • [2009-09-23 1:21]

Hello Manyee,
This is a very nice shot of this White-Faced Whistling Duck.
Good composition with a very good pov. Good focus and sharpness and great looking bg.
Best regards Siggi

Hi Manyee

Great portrait of this African duck
Good composition, sharpness and details
Good DOF and background

Chris

An awesome shot, Manyee!
The portrait is detailed and beautifully framed!
Bravo!
Goldy

Hello Manyee,
Very good portrait oh this Duck, excellent sharpness & colours
TFS. Best regards. Ferran.

  • Great 
  • tcr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 77 W: 0 N: 237] (934)
  • [2009-09-24 16:37]

Hello Manyee.
A successful picture.
Fine details, nice point of view, light and out of focus background.
Greetings and TFS.

  • Great 
  • sela Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 45 W: 0 N: 39] (704)
  • [2009-09-27 4:22]

HI Manyee, this is a wonderful portrait, perfect work
Regards Rose

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