It’s summer in Florida, time for those adorable Black-bellied Whistling Ducklings. Last month I spotted the little fellows above huddling close to Mom (or Dad?) as s/he herded them toward the water.
Last week we encountered lots of noisy adult Black-bellied Whistling Ducks circling loudly overhead, and hovering like sentinels as they landed on the railings. Why were they so protective?
Because just below the boardwalk were two adults BBWDs with a new brood of 14-15 ‘bumblebee ducklings’ toddling close behind through the deep vegetation. Totally irresistible 🐤
Birder's Journey 
🦆 Amidst the Florida summer’s heat, ☀️ A sight so cute, a joyous treat! 🌟 Black-bellied Whistling Ducklings in line, 🐥 With Mom or Dad, a bond divine. 💕
Huddled close, they make their way, 🏞️ To water’s edge, where they’ll play! 🌊 Noisy adults circle, protect with care, 🎵 Hovering sentinels, guardians rare. 🚁
On railings they land, a rowdy crew, 🦢 Why so protective? The answer’s askew! 🤔 Below the boardwalk, a lovely sight, 🌿 Adults and ducklings, a vision so bright! 🌈
A brood of 14-15, a playful parade, 🚶♂️ ‘Toddling bumblebees’ in the shade. 🐝 Vegetation deep, they explore with glee, 😄 Irresistible moments for you and me! 💖
🦆🌞🌟🐥💕🏞️🌊🎵🚁🦢🤔🌿🌈🚶♂️🐝😄💖🦆
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Thanks so much for the creative response to these irresistible little toddlers, Yishai!🐤
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The only thing cuter than a duckling is one that whistles 😊. Wonderful post!
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I totally agree, Belinda! We are so lucky the whistling ducks like to nest here in our area every year!
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Lively
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VERY lively!🤗
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I’ve never seen their babies this small. Cute !!! Great shots, thanks.
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Thank you, Ted! Yes- we think they were pretty young, in part, because they were still so many of them~! 😉
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As you said … totally irresistible!
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Thanks. Amy! They are such a treat to watch!☺️
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How lovely they all are!
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They are such photogenic ducks, Deborah, both as adults, and definitely as little ones!
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Oh, what a wonderful brood of babies. They are so cute in their bumblebee stripes – I would have fallen instantly in love with them! 🙂
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Lol 😉. I know that many of our visitors, birders, and walkers here feel exactly the same way, Ann.
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Beautiful pics and video BJ, how lovely to see the young ones. I love Whistling Ducks they are such beautiful birds. They are in very large flocks here, the Aussie species are extremely noisy when several hundred are all whistling continuously. It is deafening and you can not stay long.
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Haha! It gets that way here sometimes, too, AB. We were ones at Circle B Bar Reserve up near Orlando, and their nonstop whistling was deafening, but a total delight at the same time. 🤗
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Love the bold markings on those cute little ones!
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Yes, aren’t they amazing? And their coloring is so different when they grow up.
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Good thing the adults are so protective, else those cute and cuddly balls will disappear very quickly!
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Absolutely true, DeWets. In fact, despite the adults’ protective behavior, I fear that many of these ducklings will be gone in a very short time. 😟
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Welcome to the world, bumblebee ducklings. You are adorable. Good luck to you!
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Thank you so much for this greeting and your good wishes, Tanja. They will certainly benefit from your good thoughts.
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I wish our positive thoughts would result in positive outcomes.
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I believe that they do sometimes ☺️
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I hope you are right. 🙂
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How cute BJ, lovely captures my friend 🙂
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Thanks so much, AB!
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