Comments on: Unmistakable http://xenogere.com/2009/11/18/unmistakable/ I do not intend to tiptoe through life only to arrive safely at death. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:40:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: jason http://xenogere.com/2009/11/18/unmistakable/comment-page-1/#comment-16336 jason Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:27:33 +0000 http://xenogere.com/?p=5221#comment-16336 Hi, Henry! Thanks so much for visiting. Yes, black-bellied whistling-ducks are known for mutual preening. It's believed to be related to pair bonding, though it looks like it hasn't been studied much (at least that I could find). Given other whistling ducks are known to use mutual preening for that purpose, it's probably a safe bet that our two varieties do it for the same reason. Hi, Henry! Thanks so much for visiting.

Yes, black-bellied whistling-ducks are known for mutual preening. It’s believed to be related to pair bonding, though it looks like it hasn’t been studied much (at least that I could find). Given other whistling ducks are known to use mutual preening for that purpose, it’s probably a safe bet that our two varieties do it for the same reason.

]]> By: henry aikman http://xenogere.com/2009/11/18/unmistakable/comment-page-1/#comment-16335 henry aikman Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:13:29 +0000 http://xenogere.com/?p=5221#comment-16335 Our South African white faced whistling duck has also expanded its range over the last 50 years and can now be seen on Cape Peninsula water bodies. They have a delightful habit of preening each other. Is that also North American behaviour. Regards Henry Our South African white faced whistling duck has also expanded its range over the last 50 years and can now be seen on Cape Peninsula water bodies. They have a delightful habit of preening each other. Is that also North American behaviour. Regards Henry

]]> By: Jain http://xenogere.com/2009/11/18/unmistakable/comment-page-1/#comment-16328 Jain Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:55:19 +0000 http://xenogere.com/?p=5221#comment-16328 I found a clip at the Cornell site but the xeno-canto site is really marvelous -- and bookmarked!, thanks! I found a clip at the Cornell site but the xeno-canto site is really marvelous — and bookmarked!, thanks!

]]> By: jason http://xenogere.com/2009/11/18/unmistakable/comment-page-1/#comment-16326 jason Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:36:39 +0000 http://xenogere.com/?p=5221#comment-16326 In truth, Amber, they're usually just visitors at White Rock Lake (frequent visitors, yes, but not reliable if you want to see them). That said, they're known to breed and nest at the Village Creek Drying Beds in Arlington. It's a good place to find them from summer through late autumn/early winter. (Of note, that's also a good place to find all sorts of goodies--some of which is rarely or never seen at WRL.) I'm glad you like the photos! I'm of course being finicky (I'm always my own worst critic). In truth, Amber, they’re usually just visitors at White Rock Lake (frequent visitors, yes, but not reliable if you want to see them). That said, they’re known to breed and nest at the Village Creek Drying Beds in Arlington. It’s a good place to find them from summer through late autumn/early winter. (Of note, that’s also a good place to find all sorts of goodies–some of which is rarely or never seen at WRL.)

I’m glad you like the photos! I’m of course being finicky (I’m always my own worst critic).

]]> By: Amber Coakley http://xenogere.com/2009/11/18/unmistakable/comment-page-1/#comment-16321 Amber Coakley Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:22:43 +0000 http://xenogere.com/?p=5221#comment-16321 Ooooo-wee! I wish I could go to White Rock Lake right now! I have never seen these ducks before, but I sure have heard of them. I just visited the link you posted for their call - so cool. If I didn't have to go out of town for (another) cousin's wedding, I would be at WRL this coming weekend! Low light is tough with a long lens - I know how that goes. Your pictures turned out great despite the less than ideal conditions. I can't get over how neon-orange their bills are. What gorgeous creatures! Ooooo-wee! I wish I could go to White Rock Lake right now! I have never seen these ducks before, but I sure have heard of them. I just visited the link you posted for their call – so cool. If I didn’t have to go out of town for (another) cousin’s wedding, I would be at WRL this coming weekend!

Low light is tough with a long lens – I know how that goes. Your pictures turned out great despite the less than ideal conditions. I can’t get over how neon-orange their bills are. What gorgeous creatures!

]]> By: jason http://xenogere.com/2009/11/18/unmistakable/comment-page-1/#comment-16316 jason Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:40:47 +0000 http://xenogere.com/?p=5221#comment-16316 They're definitely unique, Jain. I wish more people could see them in person: they're just marvelous (these photos really don't capture it well enough). As for sounds, try this: <a href="http://www.xeno-canto.org/browse.php?query=black-bellied+whistling-duck" rel="nofollow">black-bellied whistling-ducks at xeno-canto</a>. xeno-canto is one of the best resources for bird sounds from the Americas. Lots of good stuff! They’re definitely unique, Jain. I wish more people could see them in person: they’re just marvelous (these photos really don’t capture it well enough).

As for sounds, try this: black-bellied whistling-ducks at xeno-canto. xeno-canto is one of the best resources for bird sounds from the Americas. Lots of good stuff!

]]> By: Jain http://xenogere.com/2009/11/18/unmistakable/comment-page-1/#comment-16315 Jain Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:31:09 +0000 http://xenogere.com/?p=5221#comment-16315 I've never seen them; they're beautiful! Now I'm off to find an audio clip. I’ve never seen them; they’re beautiful! Now I’m off to find an audio clip.

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