Rod Lee and I went to visit the Black-Bellied Whistling Duck (BBWD) today! This little "prince" was still in the pond in the farmer's field between 5:30 and 7:15pm this early evening (July 18, 2010).
He was in the accompaniment of a female Mallard and her 6 still flightless ducklings. He did not seem to be concerned with the number of cattle that were in the field and near the pond. He did not seem concerned, at all, with our presence either. We watched his activities with pure joy. Rod took many photos during his displays. We watched him (along with Mike Runtz and his fiancee Anne). The BBWD was preening, his was on the shore, he was in the water, cocking his head from one side to the other. He was diving and sending up churning water above himself, he was enjoying the abundance of duckweed. At one point he did a Mallard-like "bottoms-up", all 6 young Mallards sprinted to his side and did "bottoms-up" also. It was quite comical to watch. Then the ducklings followed behind him in a straight line while the female Mallard brought up the rear of the line. He disappeared into the reeds when the farmer was on his ATV tending his cattle. However, a few moments later Anne spotted him on the far bank nibbling at the tall grasses. When we were leaving all the ducks were back in the water. The Mallards were all together and the "Little Prince" was off to one side all by himself. For those of you who may not have an opportunity to see this truly beautiful species, here is how I would describe him and his actions: - he has sleek fine lines like the Northern Pintail. - he dived like the Common Goldeneye - a small jump, arching his back with a clean entrance into the water. - he surfaced very close to where he dived. - he has these very fine small circular markings on his rump, similar to the marking on a Northern Flicker's breast. - he has the russet head like the Chipping Sparrow (you know the same punk look) that runs from his bill right down the back of his neck to his back. - he has really nice pink coloured short Stork-like legs. - he has a lovely blending of the russet to gold to white markings on his wings (if he was a small bird those markings would be "wing-bars"). - his bill is a nice combination of orange and pink (more orange than pink). - he walks like he is royalty - head held high and very straight. We thank those of you who first posted this truly magnificent little creature. Maureen and Rod Directions: From the west end of Picton at the traffic lights take Lake Street from the LCBO and follow south (Lake Street becomes County Road 10) to Cherry Valley. At the Stop sign in Cherry Valley, turn left and follow C.R. 10 for another 6 km to Milford. Upon reaching Milford, turn left at the Stop sign, then right again at the post office in Milford, and continue on C.R. 10 for about 2.7 km and the ponds are on the left hand-side just after the bend of the highway, 20m up from the intersection with Royal Road. _________________________________________________________________ Game on: Challenge friends to great games on Messenger http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9734387_______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
