| 2009 IUCN Red List Category (as evaluated by BirdLife International - the official Red List Authority for birds for IUCN): Vulnerable Justification This species is listed as Vulnerable because it has a small and severely fragmented range within which it is hunted, and the area, extent and quality of remaining habitat is undergoing a continuing decline, with populations at some sites disappearing altogether. However, there is evidence that the species may now be increasing, and if this were confirmed it may qualify for downlisting to Near Threatened.
Family/Sub-family Anatidae Species name author (Linnaeus, 1758) Taxonomic source(s) AOU checklist (1998 + supplements), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Stotz et al. (1996) Identification 48-56 cm. Large, upright, long-necked brown duck with black-and-white markings on flanks. Adult deep brown, darker above with whitish abdomen and black markings on the flanks. Black bill. Immature, less well-marked than adult, black on flanks in streaks. Similar spp. Slightly smaller Fulvous Whistling-duck D. bicolor is more yellowish with a white stripe on side, and white uppertail-coverts. Voice Shrill chiriria whistle. Hints Best seen early morning or late evening. |  |
Population estimate | Population trend | Range estimate (breeding/resident) | Country endemic? | 10,000-19,999 | increasing | 23,900 km2 | No |
Range & population Dendrocygna arborea historically ranged throughout the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands (to UK), Cuba, Cayman Islands (to UK), Jamaica, Haiti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico (to USA), Virgin Islands (to UK), Virgin Islands (to USA), St Kitts and Nevis (only an occasional visitor in the past and future records unlikely due to habitat deterioration6), Antigua and Barbuda, and Guadeloupe (to France). Breeding populations are known to exist in the Bahamas (at least 1,500 birds), Turks and Caicos, Cuba (at least 14,000), Cayman (800 - 1,200 and thought to be stable), Jamaica (500 and stable), Dominican Republic (six populations1), Puerto Rico (100 and stable?), and Antigua (500) and Barbuda (50),5,7.
|  | Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria. | Ecology: This secretive, non-migratory duck is crepuscular or nocturnal and generally considered site faithful, but it will wander in search of water and good habitat during periodic drought 2,9,10,12. During the day, singles, pairs or flocks (up to 100) roost and possibly feed in mangroves, reeds and swampy areas2,5. At dusk, birds fly to fresh, brackish, and salt ponds, lagoons, ephemeral wetlands, tidal flats and agricultural fields (rice and corn) to feed (usually in small flocks), returning to roost-sites just before dawn9. Scrub and coppice are important nesting habitats; birds often nest on offshore cays2,9,12. The nest is usually in a cluster of palm fronds, a clump of bromeliads, on a branch, in a tree-cavity, or in a leaf-lined scrape on the ground2,9,11. Breeding has been recorded in virtually all months, but peaks in the summer10,11,12.
| Threats It has suffered from excessive and under-regulated hunting for subsistence (including eggs) and sport2,4,10. Wetlands are a very limited habitat in the Caribbean, with continuing conversion primarily for development2,4,12. More than 50% of remaining wetlands are seriously degraded by the cutting of mangroves and swamp-forest, pollution (chemical runoff from nearby agriculture, sewage, garbage), water mismanagement, and natural catastrophes such as droughts and hurricanes4,10. Predation by introduced species is inadequately documented, but mongoose, racoons, rats, and feral cats and dogs are known to kill adults and young and eat eggs4,9.
| | Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. CMS Appendix II. It is legally protected throughout much of its range, but law enforcement is inadequate4. Since 1997, the West Indian Whistling-duck Working Group of the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds has conducted a region-wide public education and awareness programme that provides local teachers and educators with training and educational materials and works to raise awareness and appreciation for the value of local wetlands and wetland biodiversity5,6,7. The project has also sponsored surveys and worked with decision-makers, community leaders and hunters to reduce poaching and encourage protection of local wetlands, especially via development of "Watchable Wildlife Ponds" - wetlands equipped with interpretive signs and viewing areas where local people, school groups, and tourists can easily observe whistling-ducks and other wildlife5,6,7. There are several protected areas in the region but, in general, suitable habitat, especially wetlands, is under-represented and many degraded wetlands should be restored2. There are plans to establish a re-introduced population on the Virgin Islands (to UK)2.
| | Conservation measures proposed Conduct extensive surveys to assess numbers and distribution in each country5. Assist local authorities in establishing a long-term monitoring programme5. Conserve and restore key sites5. Establish legal protection in countries where it does not exist and enforce protection in others. Continue public education and awareness programmes5.
| References Collar et al. (1992). 1. Ottenwalder (1997). 2. L. G. Sorenson in litt (2007). 3. L. Mugica in litt. (2007). 4. Staus (1997). 5. Sorenson et al. 2004. 6. Sorenson et al. 2005. 7. Sorenson 2006. 8. Raffaele et al. (1998). 9. Staus (1998a). 10. Staus (2005). 11. Staus (1998b). 12. Prosper in litt (2005).
| Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Isabel Isherwood (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Helen Temple (BirdLife International), David Wege (BirdLife International) | Contributors Lisa Sorenson (Center for Ecology and Conservation Biology) | IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International) |
| Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Dendrocygna arborea. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010 | This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List. To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums |
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