Playing with “Quack Quacks” at Blue Springs State Park
Two-year-old Nova enjoys feeding her duck friends, the Quack Quacks, at Blue Springs State Park in Alabama.
Another rare bird has been spotted in Ohio, and the state’s wildlife experts expect it to stay here.
In a Facebook post a week ago, the Ohio Division of Wildlife reported that black-bellied whistling ducks with chicks were spotted at a wildlife refuge in Wayne County. Previously, a pair of ducks were confirmed to have nested in a small pond on a Wayne County farm in 2022, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Those commenting on the post are sharing their sightings from across the state, posting photos and videos.
Here’s what you should know:
Black-bellied wigeons are usually found far away from Ohio
Normally found along the Mexican border and the Gulf Coast, the Black-bellied Whistling Duck has now moved north, according to the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
Audubon describes the duck as a “spectacularly patterned, gregarious, noisy water bird.” It is found along the coast of Texas, Florida, and Mexico, as well as in Central and South America.
According to Audubon, they prefer ponds or freshwater marshes. Black-bellied wigeons may be attracted to shallow freshwater lakes in open areas, but seem to prefer ponds surrounded by trees.
How big are black-bellied whistling ducks? How to recognize them
According to Audubon, the birds are about 20 to 22 inches long, about the size of a mallard. Adults have long necks and legs, a color pattern of maroon, black and gray, and a pink bill. Unlike many other duck species, males and females look similar.
What does a black-bellied whistling goose sound like?
Audubon describes the duck’s songs and calls as “gentle whistling.” Audubon’s listing of the species includes several audio recordings of their “wheezing songs” and alarm calls.
Other rare birds spotted in Ohio
This is not the first rare bird to find its way to the Buckeye State.
A rosette tern was spotted on Lake Erie earlier this summer. The bird, which is more common along the New England coast and in the Caribbean, may have strayed from its migration route or been blown inland by the remnants of a hurricane.
And in 2020, a brown booby was spotted at Nimisila Reservoir outside Akron, which, according to a previous Beacon Journal article, was probably blown inland by a hurricane. Its typical habitat is the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.
