Black-bellied whistling ducks

They are not true ducks. They are noisy, social and easy to spot, as they are large, fly slowly, and have white bars that flash when they fly. They gather in groups along freshwater banks and in trees, and at sunset, they make their rounds, flying in loose groups from spot to spot and chatting with each other. They have amazingly bright bubble gum-colored beaks and feet. Black-bellied whistling ducks are a pleasure to behold! Watch a video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqiYfscj1nU

Black-bellied whistling ducks are here in Graham Creek Nature Preserve, and can easily be spotted around ponds in Glen Lakes Golf course and along County road 4, in the detention ponds just east of the Pelican Place Mall. Just five years ago, you wouldn't have seen one. Their range has been expanding. Look at any range map, and you won't see the Alabama coast included. They're common in Central and South America -- but their range, for several years, stopped short of New Orleans. They've also been common in southern Florida for some time. But now, they're all along the Gulf Coast, including Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Fairhope, Foley and Mobile. It just goes to show you - as David Sibley, bird expert and author of The Sibley Guide to Birds says, the moment a bird book is published, it's out of date. Birds, in general, just don't obey the books!

Scientists theorize that the expansion of their range has been due to the fact that humans have installed wood duck boxes everywhere along the coast. As cavity nesters, these ducks will take advantage of wood duck boxes, although you can build a box that's especially good for a whistling duck. According to the experts, they don't displace the wood ducks because they nest at a different time of year.