Lesser Whistling Duck

Identification

The lesser whistling duck is a distinctive long-necked, chestnut-brown waterfowl with broad wings visible in flight. The most reliable field mark is its chestnut rump, which distinguishes it from its larger relative, the fulvous whistling duck, which has a creamy white rump instead. The crown appears dark, and the ring around the eye is orange to yellow. Both sexes are alike in plumage. When flying, these ducks characteristically hold their head below the level of the body and fly slowly with rapid wing-flapping, producing a loud, repetitive two-note wheezy call that inspired local names such as "sili" and "silhahi" in India. They produce very prominent whistling sounds during flight.

Range & Habitat

The lesser whistling duck is a largely resident species widely distributed across the lowland wetlands of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, with populations extending to islands including the Andamans, Nicobars, and Maldives. More northern birds may winter further south in response to weather and water availability changes. They inhabit freshwater wetlands with good vegetation cover and are commonly found resting during the day on banks or even on open sea in coastal areas. Large numbers are sometimes observed in urban wetlands, particularly during winter in locations such as Kolkata and Goa.

Behaviour & Diet

Lesser whistling ducks are highly gregarious and notably nocturnal feeders, often resting during daylight hours in flocks around lakes and wet paddy fields. They possess a remarkable ability to perch on trees and sometimes nest in tree hollows. Their diet consists mainly of aquatic plants and grains from cultivated rice, supplemented with small fish, frogs, molluscs, worms, and other invertebrates. They both dabble and dive in water and frequently waddle on land.

Breeding occurs during the monsoon or rainy season, with clutches typically ranging from 7 to 12 white eggs incubated by both parents. Nests may be located in tree holes lined with twigs and grass, in tree forks, or sometimes reused nests of kites or herons. Eggs hatch after approximately 22–24 days, and more than one brood may be raised in a single season. Young birds are sometimes carried on their parents' backs.

Best Time & Places to See It

Lesser whistling ducks can be found year-round across their range, though winter months bring larger concentrations to urban wetlands. Urban wetland areas in Kolkata and Goa are particularly productive locations during winter. Look for them during late afternoon and evening hours as they become active for nocturnal feeding. During the day, scan the banks and open water of lakes and paddy fields, where they rest in flocks. The monsoon season is optimal for observing breeding behaviour.

Photography Tips

The chestnut rump is the key identifying feature to capture, so aim for side-on shots that show the upper-tail coverts clearly. In-flight photography is rewarding, as the broad wings and the distinctive head-below-body posture are characteristic and photogenic. The orange-yellow eye-ring provides detail for close-up portraits. Their nocturnal habits mean early morning and late afternoon light often provides the best conditions. Since they are gregarious, you can often find multiple individuals in frame, capturing their social behaviour. Patience is essential, as they rest during much of the day, but their tendency to perch in trees offers unique compositional opportunities compared to other ducks.