Black Bellied Whistling Duck

After my bear encounter I headed south and through Nogales and back up to Madera Canyon stopping along the way at Rio Rico Ponds. Rio Rico Ponds, which is about ten miles from the Mexican Border,  is just a low level grassy field that collects a few inches of water. As such it is teeming with food for waders. Every once in a while a rarity such as the Roseate Spoonbill or Tricolored Heron may show up. A more common visitor is the Black Bellied Whistling Duck. While I say more common, realize that this area and the very southern tip of south Texas are the only spots in the US that host this gooselike duck. The Black-bellied Whistling-duck is quite unique among ducks because they are monogamous. Pairs often stay together for many years, a trait more often associated with geese and swans.

Black Bellied Whistling Duck

Black Bellied Whistling Duck