Eyeton Whistling Ducks

Eyeton Whistling Ducks

A PAIR is a male/female pair of unrelated birds.

• Breeding season May-August 
• Clutch Size 12 eggs average
• Incubation period 30 days
• 1.75 - 2.25 pounds.

Eyton Whistling Ducks, Dendrocygna Eytoni, are also referred to as Eyton's Tree Ducks, Plumed Tree Ducks, and Grass Whistle Ducks. They are a member of the Tree Duck genus and have the long legs, long neck, and upright structure that is typical of tree ducks. They look like a combination between a goose and a duck. As their name suggests, they make a loud whistle sound.

Eyton Whistling Ducks are mostly shades of brown and fawn, but with salmon-chestnut colored markings. The most striking feature is the straw-colored plumes that twirl up from the flanks and curve gracefully over the lower back. Male and female Eyton Whistling Ducks are alike in appearance, with the straw plumes being slighter longer in the males. Their bills are pink and black, and their legs are also a salmon-pink color.  Eyton Whistling Ducks are social birds and enjoy being in a large flock. They do very well with other species and make easy and enjoyable additions to a mixed collection.

Eyton Whistling Ducks are native to Northern and Eastern Australia and New Guinea. Eyton Whistling Ducks enjoy the company of a large flock and in the wild can usually be found during daylight hours in large groups by margins of water sources such as lagoons, lakes, and swamps. At nighttime, they fly inland to grasslands, which is where they do most of their feeding activities.

Eyton Whistling Ducks are monogamous and mate for life. Both the male and female take a part in the incubation as well as with the raising and caring for the ducklings. Eyton Whistling Ducks can hybridize with other whistling ducks and other species of ducks, so care should be taken to ensure that cross-breeding doesn't occur.

Housing Requirements: Eyton Whistling Ducks do well in captivity and are adaptable and social birds. They will need protection from cold if kept in areas with harsh winters as these are tropical birds.

Diet: Eyton Whistling Ducks are more like geese when it comes to diet. They eat mostly a vegetarian, grass-based diet. They do sometimes dabble and eat aquatic food, but the bulk of their diet is plucked grass. A commercial waterfowl diet that is labeled for use with geese would be appropriate for Eyton Whistling Ducks.