The spotted whistling duck, also known as the tree duck, is a large-bodied duck found widely distributed across the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia. This distinct looking duck gets its name from the scattered white spots covering its brown plumage and its distinct whistling call. But what exactly is the color of the spotted whistling duck? That’s the question we’ll dive into in this article.
Quick Answer
The spotted whistling duck has brown plumage covered with small white spots. The back and crown are a dark chocolate brown while the breast is a lighter golden brown. The spots are small and numerous, covering the entire body except for the pale brown face which has dark stripes. The bill is blackish and the legs and feet are yellowish. The male and female look similar though the spots may be more dense on the male. Juveniles are duller overall with a paler brown color.
Detailed Explanation
While the spotted whistling duck appears generally brown at first glance, a closer look reveals a range of brown hues and tones across its plumage. Starting with the head, the crown and back of the neck are a very dark chocolate brown approaching black. This transitions into a slightly lighter and warmer brown on the back and shoulder feathers. The rump at the rear is also this deep chocolate brown.
The breast and belly are a paler golden brown or tan color. The flanks are a similar golden brown merging into the darker back feathers. From above, the closed wings appear dark brown with small white spots. In flight, the secondaries show greyish undersides while the primaries are blackish.
The most distinctive marking of this duck species is the numerous small white spots scattered across the entire body except the pale brown face. These spots are small, typically 2-3mm wide, and very dense, numbering in the hundreds on a single bird. This peppered or speckled effect contrasts with the solid brown plumage.
The bill of the spotted whistling duck is long and blackish. The eyes are dark brown. The legs and feet are yellowish without webbing. The male and female spotted whistling duck are similar in size and coloration. The male may have denser spotting especially on the shoulders. Juveniles have a duller brown plumage overall with smaller spots. Their bill is greyish rather than blackish.
Plumage Details
Here are some more precise details on the plumage colors and markings of the spotted whistling duck:
Crown and Nape
– Very dark chocolate brown that is nearly black
Back
– Dark chocolate brown that extends from the crown to the rump
Rump
– Matching the dark chocolate color of the back
Shoulders
– Slightly lighter chocolate brown than the back with dense small white spotting
Breast
– Rich golden brown fading lighter towards the belly
Belly
– Light tan or buff color
Flanks
– Golden brown, merging into the back feathers
Face
– Pale brown with irregular dark brown stripes from the eye backwards
Closed Wing
– Dark brown covert feathers with small white spots throughout
Primaries
– Blackish brown
Secondaries
– Greyish brown on the undersides
Tail
– Dark brown with white spots matching the back and rump
Regional Variation
The spotted whistling duck shows some modest regional variations in plumage across its wide range in southern Asia and Indonesia. The extent and density of white spotting increases slightly in birds from more southern populations. The brown tones may also be warmer and richer in tropical regions compared to more northern parts of India and Asia. However, these differences are subtle. All populations share the characteristic plumage of chocolate brown, golden tan, and peppered white spots no matter if they are in Thailand, Sumatra, or Hyderabad.
Molting and Seasonal Variation
Like most ducks, the spotted whistling duck has an annual molt after breeding where it sheds and replaces its feathers. Prior to molting, the plumage becomes worn and faded. The white spots appear more indistinct and the browns seem paler and bleached out from sunlight exposure. Once the duck molts, its plumage returns to the full rich chocolate browns and sharply dotted whites. The molt occurs from July through October, allowing the duck’s colors to be restored through the winter. There is little seasonal change in the plumage otherwise. The males may gain density in their white spots in preparation for breeding. But overall this species maintains its colors year round.
Juvenile Spotted Whistling Ducks
Juvenile spotted whistling ducks under a year old can be distinguished from adults based on their plumage. While the overall brown and white spotted pattern is similar, juveniles tend to be more drab and dull. Their plumage is more gray-brown than chocolate brown, and the white spotting is sparser and less brilliant on the breast and back. The pale facial stripes are indistinct. Their bill is more grayish rather than black like the adults. As the juveniles molt and replace their feathers, their adult plumage characteristics emerge by one year of age. But when very young, they lack the sharp colors of mature birds.
Flight Feathers
In flight, the spotted whistling duck shows a contrast between its dark remiges and tail and the more lightly colored underwing. The short broad wings have blackish brown primary flight feathers that appear darker than the browns of the body when the bird is at rest. The undersides of the secondaries are grayish, while the upperwing coverts are medium brown with white spots. The tail is also dark chocolate brown, contrasting slightly with the rump. In flight, these darker flight feathers stand out from the paler golden browns of the underparts.
Behavioral Context
The colors of the spotted whistling duck play an important role in its forest and wetland habitat. The speckled brown plumage provides excellent camouflage when the duck is in vegetation, making it very difficult to detect even at close range. This helps protect the duck from predators when at rest. The white spots may help break up the outline of the duck’s shape. When flying in sunlight, the contrasting light and dark parts of the plumage help other ducks maintain contact and coordinate their flock movements through dense habitat. So the spotted whistling duck’s coloration serves both protective and social signaling functions.
Conclusion
The spotted whistling duck has complex plumage that at first appears simply brown. But looking closer, we see a variety of rich chocolate browns on the back. Lighter tans color the underparts. And most strikingly, numerous small white spots pepper the entire body lending this duck its common name. This unique patterning sets the spotted whistling duck apart from other brown duck species in its range. The speckled brown plumage serves as camouflage in the duck’s wooded wetland home while also aiding group cohesion when on the move. So the next time you come across this distinctive duck, take a moment to appreciate the many subtle shades of brown and brilliant white spotting that characterize its handsome plumage.