Photos by Donna

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Common in Central and South America, Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks have steadily expanded their range into the southern U.S. and still continue to broaden northward.

Spring last year, a rare small flock of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks arrived at a countryside residential development’s retention pond near Clayton, Delaware, and stayed until fall, a huge delight to birders from near and far.  I shared them with you last September before they migrated south for the winter.

And now they are back!  There are 32 of them scattered around the pond, some alone, some paired up, and still others grouped under the trees’ shade.

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Black-bellied Whistling Duck

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Unlike most ducks, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks mate for life.

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The pond is alongside a residential street so you can sit in your car and easily photograph them without any disturbance.

Here’s a bath time series of photos that I think will give you a chuckle.  😉

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“What?  You’ve never seen two ducks take a shower together?”

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“Okay, dear, once is enough for me, let me get out of the way!”

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Lots of bath times and preening around the pond.  A true delight!

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Black-bellied Whistling Duck

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And, yes, they do whistle to communicate.  Take a listen….

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Black-bellied Whistling Ducks audio recorded by Alexandre Renaudie

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