We ran across a bunch of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, (Dendrocygna autumnalis), yesterday at Middle Concho Park. There were probably about twenty-five of them, just sauntering along by the river. They were whistling, too. Really. They seemed happy. I got several shots of them before I went on my way.
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Since I didn’t know how to whistle along with them, I decided to let them alone and continue downstream. Or was it upstream. Anyway, I was watching for the pair of Wood Ducks that I had seen a few days ago. They were nowhere to be seen. However, I got another image of a Great Egret to share with you.
Great Egret
More ducks and other water birds are starting to arrive from the north and I saw some Least Sandpipers and also I got this image of a Greater Yellowlegs, (Tringa melanoleuca).
Greater Yellowlegs
Enjoy the photos and click on any of them to see enlargements.
So they really do whistle?! Neato!!!
Yes, isn’t that cool?? Thanks for the comment, David.
I’ve never seen (or heard) those ducks Bob – must be quite an experience to hear them whistle. Sounds like bird numbers are beginning to pick up for you. I’m glad you’re well on the road to recovery from your surgeries so you can take full advantage.
You are right, the bird numbers are starting to pick up again. I am 100% now and that makes it all the better. Thanks for commenting, Ron.
Lovely photos – the whistling ducks especially!
Thank you very much, Jo.
Very nice looking ducks-can’t say I have ever seen any. The Yellowlegs and the Egret are both great (heehee) too! Thanks!
The Yellowlegs are greater than the Egret.
Nice shots Bob!
Thanks, H.J.
Great photos..I have never seen your Black Belly Whistling Ducks before..they are something to behold..pink legs and all..The Egret was so elegant..their plumage is magnificent..Enjoyed the video too. Have a great day..back to the Studio to finish up a pair of Signets..
Thanks so much, Syl. I enjoyed your comment, and I appreciate Shannon including the video for everyone to see.
Ok, that post cried out for an audio link. I’m glad I got to hear the whistling ducks, as well as see the great pics!
Thanks very much, Neita. That audio was compliments of my friend Shannon.
Nice shots, Bob. Of course you know why they whistle–the same reason the hummingbird hums. Neither knows the words….
Very funny, Jim. Hey, I’m the comedian here.
I enjoy it when the whistlers fly over my house several times a day. You can certainly hear ‘em coming in to land!
Here’s a short video link from the creek behind our house where we like camp with the kids. You can hear the whistlers and their signature call as the fly over to their group (at the end). Proud yellow-crowned night heron parents grace the film footage as well.
I was hoping for a link, not an embed, not wanting to seem like I’m hijacking your gorgeous post. If you can edit and change to be just a link, that was my intent.
Heck, I don’t know how to change it. You lost me when you said, “if you can edit”………
. It’s okay just the way it is. 
Right click “Copy URL” should work.
Nope. Embed is the default, even doing it that way (which is what I did). You have to “text” it and then copy and paste into the comment window, like this. Here’s a WP article on how to do it, if you’re interested. (http://wp.me/PEmnE-sf) A link is significantly less distracting than am embed in a comment stream; it’s nice to know how.
I enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing, Shannon.