The Lesser Whistling Duck, or Indian Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna javanica, is a small whistling duck which breeds in India and southeast Asia.

This is an abundant species in Asia. It is largely resident, apart from local movements, but Chinese birds winter further south. It nests in tree holes, old nests of other birds, or on a stick platform near the ground, and lays 6-12 eggs.

The habitat is still freshwater lakes, with plentiful vegetation, where this duck feeds on seeds and other vegetation.

This species has a long grey bill, long head and longish legs. It has a buff head, neck and underparts, and a darker crown. The back and wings are darkish grey, and there are chestnut patches on the wings and tail. All plumages are similar.

This species is gregarious, and at favoured sites, such as Carambolin Lake in India, the flocks of a thousand or more birds arriving at dawn are an impressive sight. As the name implies, these are noisy birds with a clear whistling call.

References

• Wildfowl by Madge and Burn, ISBN 0-7470-2201-1
• Birds of Goa (video)