Black Bellied Whistling Ducks Protect Ducklings from Dangers on the Lake

Black-bellied whistling ducks protect ducklings from dangers on Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland, Florida. The dangers come from all directions for this family including an unexpected downpour, an agitated, territorial purple gallinule parent, a lurking great blue heron, and other black-bellied whistling ducks vying for the same territory. Fortunately, all 10 ducklings were kept safe by watchful parents and enjoyed time eating, preening, swimming, and even playing. Before I left, one parent contained all the ducklings under its wings...hard to believe it was possible!

[@ObservingFloridaWildlife]

I'd never seen Black Bellied Whistlers ducklings so young before. Thanks for posting this one. I liked it!

[@MichelleSiefkenPhotography]

Only one other time did I see them this little, Roger. It was as much a joy then as it is now to make the discovery! They're one of my favorites. So glad you enjoyed it! 😁

[@wildthunderbird]

Oh my goodness those are the sweetest little babies! They are precious. Mom and dad are wonderful loving parents. That purple gallinut is mean, to her own babies and everyone else's babies too it looks like! The ducks eat plants and the purple gallinut eats bugs so I guess the purple gallinut is a predator. I know ducks love water, but to watch the babies bed down for the night under mom's wings lying in the water, makes me kind of cringe. I wonder why the dad flew off and left them alone for the night. I wonder if he came back? This lake really is a beautiful place, a safe haven for the wildlife. Thank you again for this video and giving us a peek into the life of this sweet duck family! 🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆😊

[@MichelleSiefkenPhotography]

They are such sweet little ducklings - I'm glad you enjoyed watching them! I wasn't surprised to see the purple gallinule get aggressive with them, but didn't think it would try to peck a baby. It was being protective of its own chicks that were expressing their distress as the black-bellied whistling duck family worked its way into their nesting territory. Thankfully, the baby ducked when the purple gallinule came after it. I'm not sure why one whistler parent left the family, but I'm guessing they take turns watching over the little ones. Possibly it needed to take flight and work those wings, feed, or get a respite, just like herons and other wading birds. I've seen other whistling duck families do the same. Hopefully, the ducklings won't get too waterlogged under parent's wings on the soggy patch of grass. I'm guessing if it became a problem they'd move to land. Thanks again for your thoughts and interest! Have a great day! 😁

[@wildthunderbird]

​@@MichelleSiefkenPhotographyyou're welcome!😊

[@jalanswargo]

looking dack biutyful

[@MichelleSiefkenPhotography]

They're such beautiful birds! Thank you for watching!