Identification
Medium sized duck. The male has a grey body with a brown head and a beige forehead. The back is white with black on the edge and the breast is brownish pink. Females are brown with darker brown on the back where the closed wing feathers show black. Both leaves have a green "mirror" on the wing, white belly, grey beak with black on the tip and grey legs.
Distribution - Habitat
North American and Palaearctic species (Asia, Europe, Africa). The European population breeds in northern Scandinavia and Siberia and winters in southern Europe up to the coast of North Africa. The species occurs in Central Europe only in transit during migration. On the Mediterranean coast the eastern population overwinters, breeding in central and western Siberia, and in western Europe up to the height of southern England the western population overwinters, breeding in northern Scandinavia. In our country it appears only in winter, and the same, of course, on Lesvos.
It is found in wetlands such as marshes, lagoons, estuaries and the coastal zone.
In Lesvos we will see it in various wetlands of the Gulf of Kalloni (Messa, Polyhnitos Salt Pan, sometimes in the sea) and it consistently overwinters in Kalloni Salt Pan (150-300 individuals, depending on how heavy the winter is).
Interesting Information
- It takes its name from its very distinctive whistle-like call (hear it here!).
- It feeds mainly on plant material (leaves, roots and seeds of wetland plants) and occasionally on small invertebrates (mosquito larvae, etc.).
- In winter it feeds both during the day and at night (especially if it is disturbed during the day...).
- It matures and can breed from the age of 2 years and up.
- The oldest Whistling Thrush has reached 35 years of age.
