Appearance:

Male unmistakable with its stunning colours. Broad, white eyestripe from bill to nape, and two conspicuous wing sails. Large head, compact body and long tail. Female and juvenile also distinct, but may easily be confused with Wood Duck. Differs from this by "clear cut" base of bill without wedges, less white around eye, paler head and coarser white markings on flanks. Juveniles similar to female, but browner and duller. Often perches on branches and logs.

Sound:

Display call a thin, whistling and rapidly rising "hueessst, accompanied by deeper clappering sounds. Other sounds include a short and sharp, coot-like "ket", and a short "ack".

Male display:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Matthias Feuersenger, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Smaller and more delicate than Crane. Front of neck and chest black, with long plumes. Immatures show only faint black markings on neck and head. Upper wing lacks pale patch close to alula, and show little contrast between secondary and primary coverts. Easily mistaken for Crane in flight if black chest is not visible. Identification by call then helpful. Wing beats significantly faster than in Crane.

Sound:

Recalls Crane but timbre very dry, almost rasping and pitch higher.

Call:

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

CC

CC-sound:Oscar Campbell, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:yann coatanéa, Licence,Link.