A medium-sized, very gregarious whistling duck. Plumage with a white forehead, cheeks and throat, a black neck, a chestnut breast, a belly finely barred in black and white, and a dark back. The black-and-white contrast on the head makes it unmistakable. Its bill and legs are grayish. It measures 38 to 48 cm. In Iberá it is one of the most abundant waterbirds and can form flocks of thousands in deep lagoons and marshes.
Behaviour
Very gregarious. It spends the day resting in groups on the shore or floating on the water, and forages mainly at night. An omnivorous, mostly plant-based diet: the seeds of aquatic grasses, shoots and marsh plants, plus aquatic invertebrates. It gives a very characteristic flowing, three-note whistle.
How and when to see it
Year round. The massive concentrations on the lagoons are a memorable sight. Easy to spot on any lagoon in the park.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where white-faced whistling duck has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where white-faced whistling duck lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0 - Reserva Estero Camba Trapo
Private nature reserve of Ecoposada del Estero, on the Camba Trapo road. One of the…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameWhite-faced Whistling Duck
- Scientific nameDendrocygna viduata
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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