Search

Whistling-duck chicks rescued…

on 8th April 2017

WhistlingDuckL-rescue ducklings [AliceLim]  (Photo credit: Alice Lim)

On 4th March 2017, nine little ducklings were trapped in a drain along Sunview Way. Photographers who were there managed to get them out.

WhistlingDuckL-rescue ducklings [AliceLim]WhistlingDuckL-rescue ducklings [AliceLim] (Photo credit: Alice Lim)

Once out, they ran towards their parents and three other siblings that were awaiting for them (below).

(Photo credit: Dani M Queddeng)
(Photo credit: Dani M Queddeng)

Once the nine ducklings were together again (below)…

(Photo credit: Dani M Queddeng)
(Photo credit: Dani M Queddeng)

…the two adults led them towards the undergrowth (below).

(Photo credit: Dani M Queddeng)
(Photo credit: Dani M Queddeng)

Now the question of whether they were Wandering Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna arcuate) or Lesser Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna javanica) or hybrids? We appreciate feedbacks on this.

Dani M Queddeng & Alice Lim
Singapore
14th March 2017

This post is a cooperative effort between Birds, Insects N Creatures Of Asia and BESG to bring the study of birds and their behavior through photography and videography to a wider audience.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

One Response

  1. Well done All! Excellent rescue to re-unite a nice family.

    Both adults look like D.javanica, based on the thin yellow eye-ring and lack of prominent white plumes, as well as the overall plumage. The ducklings also look rather typical.

    However, based on the proximity, these are unlikely to be wild birds but rather originate from the nearby JBP. The bird park is responsible for most of the whistling-ducks seen around Singapore, based on the rather tame behaviour.

    Are there any truly wild D.javanica left in Singapore? This species is almost extinct following the destruction of most freshwater habitats and breeding grounds in the 1990s. However, a few may survive in the western and north-west. We do get visitors from Malaysia too, like the recent birds at Pulau Ubin.

Leave a Reply to Subaraj /Rajathurai Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
516
11748
Visitors Today
51784875
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)