DISTRIBUTION:

The West Indian Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna arborea) is endemic to the Caribbean. Its distribution extends from Cuba to the Virgin Islands and some of the northern Lesser Antilles, possibly reaching Antigua and Martinique. It is also seen in Great Cayman and the Bahamas. Some vagrants are occasionally seen in the state of Florida.

HABITAT:

This whistling-duck lives in coastal zones. It is found in mangroves, swamps, brackish water marshes, and freshwater lakes and ponds.

REPRODUCTION:

The nest is made on the branches of trees, including royal palm trees, holes in the trunk of trees and on the ground among the dense vegetation. The clutch is usually six to ten eggs. Incubation takes about 30 days.

FOOD:

The diet consists of vegetable substances such as grains and the seed of the royal palm.

DESCRIPTION:

This is the largest species of the whistling-ducks. The adults can reach a length of 58 cm (almost 23 inches) and a weight of 1.15 Kg. (2.5 pounds).

OTHER NAMES:

The West Indian Whistling-Duck in Spanish is called:
    Cuba: “Yaguasa de Pico Negro”, “Yaguasa”, “Yaguasa Criolla” and “Cuba Libre”.
    Puerto Rico: “Chiriría Caribeña”, “Yaguasa”.