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A Very Spedial Duck: The Pijiji

Probably one of the most commonly heard sounds during the night, are Pijijis ducks, the most common in the region, which, contrary to most ducks, spend much of their time soaring overhead, traveling great distances every day.

Whistling Ducks
The pijiji aliblanco duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) is native to the Americas, from the southern United States to northern Chile, including the Caribbean region. This species is related to large geese and swans, and known for being very noisy in flight, emitting their characteristic calls allowing them to stay in contact with all members of the flock, and giving them a sense of security. In addition to their distinctive whistling sound, pijijis are easily recognizable by their long slender body shape, unlike most other ducks, much more stylish, with long pink legs, a long neck ending in a long red beak. Their plumage is predominantly brown and black, with a gray head and a white ring around the eye.
First described in 1758, they weigh less than 1 kg (2.3lbs), and can measure up to 50cm (20 inches) in height. They have the habit of being more active at night, feeding and flying long distances.

Very Social and Adaptable Birds
These birds are very tame, quiet, and relatively confident in the presence of humans. They prefer to congregate in large groups or flocks. They form pair bonds for life and during the summer rains, choose a nesting site; their favorite tending to be the top of a coconut palm, often in the gardens of a large resort, returning to nest in the same place every year. They prefer to live in the vicinity of freshwater and can often be seen anywhere from close proximity to a deluxe golf course water hazard to rain-soaked crops. As another example of its adaptability; some areas in the interior of the country are known as duck cornfields, given their well-documented habit of feeding in cornfields and even by their ability to "pluck" ears of their tender corn right out of the husk. This habit has led farmers to perceive them as a pest.

Paratroopers from Birth
In addition to challenges that ALL animals face when living in close proximity to humans and the terrible consequences that often entails, nature has endowed these ducks with an admirable adaptation. Only a day after they hatch, weighing just a few grams (ounces), the ducklings launch themselves fearlessly, from their nests located in palm trees at great heights of up to 15 meters, (50 feet), without injury and they literally "bounce" off the ground, then meet up immediately with their siblings.

Faithful and Loving Parents
After plummeting to the ground, the parents meet and guide them to the nearest body of water, caring for them for up to six months. Both parents share incubation and parenting duties. When a predator is detected, the male distracts the enemy while the female and ducklings seek safe shelter. At night, the mother spreads her wings and her up to eighteen ducklings take refuge beneath her (if they fit), sometimes even seeking the safety of heights, perched on their mother 's back.
It is touching to see them walking in the Marina area, along a lonely road or even in the gardens of a resort, the mother and father duck and their 15-18 ducklings following behind. Unfortunately, all too often, the parents are forced to abandon their young just days after they hatch, when the ducklings are discovered by people who, often unwittingly, startle the duck family, causing the young to become separated from the parents. The parents fly to the trees while the little ones are left alone on the ground, unable to fly. So well-meaning people often try to capture the ducklings and "move them to safety", only to discover that goodwill is not enough when it comes to raising elusive wild ducklings, who are skilled climbers, able to climb high walls with their small, sharp nails.

The Moral of the Story
It's amazing that despite all the risks, parents are often able to reassemble all of their babies, calling them with loud whistles. Therefore, it is best not to intervene. Never try to catch seemingly abandoned ducklings. It is best to allow their parents to care for their own young, respecting this remarkable species of duck that has so far managed to cohabit successfully among us.

A Very Spedial Duck: The Pijiji

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