Spotted Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna guttata - Probable Breeding in Australia

Abstract

Spotted Whistling-Ducks Dendrocygna guttata are widely distributed on the New Guinea mainland where they are resident and largely nomadic. There are, however, few breeding records and no published data on nesting. A few sightings of this species have been reported from Cape York Peninsula, north Queensland, in recent years, but there is no confirmed breeding record for Australia. In December 2000 a group of eight Spotted Whistling-Ducks was observed at Chili Beach on Cape York Peninsula. Appearance and behaviour suggested a drake and a duck, with six juveniles. Two video cameras were used to film these birds over about two hours.