February 14, 2025

I am a Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Shown here with my kids and mate

When a camera comes out

No matter how much I shout

Someone makes a goofy face. 

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-bellied_Whistling-Duck/overview

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 19, 2023

I am an immature Black-bellied Whistling duck

My beak isn't orange like mom and dads

And my belly isn't black yet, but as my name implies

Soon I'll grow and will be black-bellied clad.

Location: Cocoa Christmas Bird Count

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-bellied_Whistling-Duck/id

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 13, 2023

We are six young Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks

Our beaks are not orange, nor are our legs pink

When we're grown up we will dress much flashier

And maybe become the ducky version of NSYNC.

Location: City of Cocoa

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-bellied_Whistling-Duck/id

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 19, 2022

We are young Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

We know that this might sound bad

But despite what our mama tells us

We don't think this Tricolored Heron's our dad.

(My apologies - but when I saw this scene, it just looked so... salacious to me.)

Location: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/news/the-amazing-world-hybrid-birds

https://www.thespruce.com/how-do-birds-mate-386108

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 23, 2022

We are a family of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, A mom and a dad and 4 young

We like freshwater swamps and coastal lagoons

And nest in cavities found in tree trunks.

Location: Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL

Sources: https://www.fws.gov/species/black-bellied-whistling-duck-dendrocygna-autumnalis

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 1, 2021

We are Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks

We're known to eat insects and seeds

But now and then you'll see dangerous ducks

Like the one who eats, shoots, and leaves.

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/black-bellied-whistling-duck

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 15, 2021

We are Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks

You might find us in fields eating harvested grain waste.

We also gather in large groups in ponds surrounded by trees

Where we party loudly without social restraints.

Location: West Cocoa

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/black-bellied-whistling-duck

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 22, 2019

Location: Vero Beach, Veteran's Park

I'm a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck,
I nest late in the summer.
David says I have gaudy colors
Which makes me feel bad, what a bummer.

(Note: Had a great day at Hundred Acre Hollows but now I'm tired and punchy so I asked David to help me write my blog so I can go to bed. This is what we came up with ;-)

Sources: David. Blame David.

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson