Editor’s Note: The Black-bellied Whistling Duckling is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
In late August, a Black-Bellied Whistling Duckling (Dendrocygna autumnalis) arrived at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) after an encounter with a hawk. The finder reported seeing the hawk pick up the duckling, then drop the young bird into their pond.
At intake, the duckling was slightly dull and dehydrated. Veterinarians noted that both eyes had significant hyphema, or bleeding within the eye. The duckling also had a pronounced head tilt, several small abrasions, and blood along the right side of the bill. These findings raised concern for head trauma sustained during the encounter.
The duckling has shown gradual improvement. Within two weeks of admission, the hyphema in both eyes completely resolved, and the head tilt has slightly improved. Recovery from neurologic trauma can take time, so CROW’s team will continue to monitor the duckling closely for further improvement.
Currently, the duckling is eating independently, gaining weight, and socializing well with another duckling in care. These are encouraging signs as the young bird continues to grow and recover.
For now, the veterinary and rehabilitation teams will continue supportive care while closely monitoring the duckling’s vision, neurologic function, behavior, weight, and development. Continued improvement in the head tilt and visual acuity will be important in determining the next steps in the duckling’s rehabilitation.
About Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks
Black-bellied whistling ducks are found throughout parts of the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. In the United States, they are especially abundant along the Gulf Coast, although their breeding range has expanded northward in recent decades
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