Another rare bird has been spotted in Ohio, and state wildlife experts believe it will stay here for a long time.
This week, the Ohio Department of Wildlife announced on Facebook that a red-billed whistling duck with ducklings was observed within the refuge in Wayne County, southwest of Akron. It has previously been confirmed that a pair of these ducks nested in a small pond on a farm in Wayne County in 2022.
Here's what you need to know.
The red-billed whistling duck is typically found far from Ohio. According to the wildlife department, this species, which usually inhabits along the Mexican border and the Gulf Coast, is moving northward.
Audubon (National Audubon Society for the protection of birds and their habitats) describes the duck as “a strikingly visible, sociable, noisy waterfowl.” They can be found along the coasts of Texas, Florida, and Mexico, as well as in Central and South America.
According to Audubon, they prefer ponds or fresh marshes. Red-billed whistling ducks may be attracted to shallow freshwater lakes in open areas, but they seem to favor ponds surrounded by trees.
What size are these birds? How can they be recognized?
According to Audubon, the birds are about 20 to 22 inches long, roughly the size of a robin. Adults have long necks and legs, and are characterized by chestnut, black, and gray plumage, as well as pink bills. Males and females look similar, unlike many other duck species.
What does the red-billed whistling duck sound like?
Audubon describes their calls and songs as “a soft whistle.” Its sound recordings in the Audubon database include several of its croaking songs and alarm calls.
This is not the first rare bird to be spotted in Ohio. Earlier this summer, a pink roseate spoonbill was observed on Lake Erie. This bird, more commonly seen along the coasts of New England and the Caribbean Basin, may have strayed from its migratory route or was carried inland by hurricane remnants.
And in 2020, a white-bellied teal was observed near Nimisila Reservoir, close to Akron, likely blown inland by a hurricane. Its typical habitat includes the Caribbean Basin and the Gulf of Mexico.
