Family: AnatidaeHabitat: Shallow marshes, lagoons, or flooded fields, in both freshwater and brackish habitats (A.O.U. 1998).
Distribution: Breeding range extends from South America, Central America, and Mexico north to southeastern California, central and eastern Texas, southwestern Louisiana, and more locally in central and southern Florida. Northernmost individuals withdraw to the Gulf coast and Florida locales during the winter (A.O.U. 1998). Vagrants have appeared at many locations further north.
Field Marks: Long neck. Orange-brown body color; back is darker with orange-brown feather edges. Note the white rump (compare with Black-bellied Whistling-Duck).
Nest Habits: Nest, of grasses and/or sedges, is usually placed in dense thicket of vegetation (e.g., cattails) at the edge of a marsh or pond.
Eggs: 6-16, usually 12-13, sometimes more; 53 millimeter; buff-white in color.
Incubation: Both sexes incubate the eggs and care for the young; incubation lasts approximately 24-26 days and young are capable of flight when they are about 55-63 days old.
