Black-bellied Whistling-Duck sightings have been on the increase in Georgia over the past several years, but the source of these birds is still unknown.  They have colonized southwest Florida, presumedly naturally, from the Yucatan Peninsula in the 1980s. (Pranty, 2005), and there is a healthy population of this species in ACE Basin of South Carolina (Harrigal and Cely).

A flock of bout 20 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks was first reported on 28 May 2006 by Bob Cheek at the Altamaha SWMA. Subsequent observers have counted up to 38 birds in a single flock.

The top two images to the left were taken by Bob Churi at the Altamaha on 4 Jun 2006.  The bottom two images were taken by Pierre Howard on 5 June 2006.

Pranty, Bill. 2005. A Birder's Guide to Florida. American Birding Association. Asheville, NC.
Harrigal, Dean, and Cely, John E., 2004. Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks Nest in South Carolina. The Chat 68:106-107.

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