Winter Migratory Ducks in Central Texas

It is interesting to think of how many years of my life, while I knew about wild ducks, I’d never seen one, other than the wild Canadian Geese and the occasional maybe wild Mallards mixed in with the domestic ones.

Two years ago, the appearance of bunches and bunches of a duck I’d never seen before totally engulfing a small pond, along with some ducks who while they quacked and sounded similar to a Mallard, it was a sound that was unique from what I’d heard prior. This pond full of ducks was filled with clamor, a loud, full choir of voices all squeaking, mixed in with some occasional “wack-wack, wack-wack, wack-wack”‘s that almost sounded like Mallards, but not quite. Everyone in that neighborhood, when asked what they were, said “Mallards.” It was evening and dark already when they were there. I attempted to capture videos and photos but it was difficult, though I captured the incredible sound & movement of so many birds covering a small community pond. These being wild species were very shy and skittish, flying further away when aware of my movements.

I returned the following morning and did a tiny bit better. I was sure that none of these were domestic Mallards. The unique, squeaky whistling type of calls and nasal sounding wack-wack’s confirmed this. I saw none of that common duck anywhere.

Youtube was my detective who finally solved the mystery for me. Plugging in the term “squeaking ducks” quickly pulled up Black Bellied Whistling Ducks. I soon managed when looking through my videos and screen snips to confirm this identity, as well as by the sound.

Identifying the “wack-wack” Gadwells came much later. As I delved deeper into educating myself on the many, many more local or seasonally local birds in my Central Texas area, I realized it went way beyond the 15 or so I could name and say I’d seen at one time or other, enough that they’d become familiar to me. Kayaking also enhanced my interest.

HERE are videos of Wild Migratory Ducks which I captured during their fall & winter season in Central Texas:

1. Here is a mixture with Shovelers, Gadwell, & a female Canvasback who is the lone one- she is larger than the others other than the Egyptian Goose which is a domestic. You can also hear Mallards & the Egyptian Goose vocalizing, while the soft squeaks of Gadwells & some noises from Shovelers may also be heard:

2. Female Canvasback with a couple of Shovelers next to her, and then a beautiful vibrant black & white Ringneck:

3. Really awesome! Some Coots with a red instead of white head spot, and they’re larger than the ones I usually see:

4. Gadwells displaying. Hear the wack-wack along with a whistling sound. The knock-knock is the coot vocalizing:

5. I love the beautiful colors and reflections on the water when I filmed these Shovelers. They wouldn’t quit shoveling!:

6. Some of the winter ducks are Diving Ducks. The Lesser Scaup fits in this category, watch him dive!:

7. Black Bellied Whistling Ducks are a year-round wild species which is increasing in numbers they’re colorful and very social, frequently calling out to one another, and when they go to roost at night or are travelling, you’ll hear these calls:

8. The Egyptian Goose is really a duck, and I believe it is considered an escaped domestic, & it’s multiplying hugely. They aren’t diving ducks, however, they do like to dive under to swim away and pop up elsewhere:

9. Up Close Shoveler, Redhead, & Gadwell Ducks. Note some variations in plumage earlier in the fall pre-winter coloring:

10. My original Black Bellied Duck Mystery Duck Video, & it’s Sequel:

Sequel: