![WhistlingDuckL-rescue ducklings [AliceLim]](http://www.besgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/WhistlingDuckL-rescue-ducklings-AliceLim.jpg)
(Photo credit: Alice Lim)
On 4th March 2017, nine little ducklings were trapped in a drain along Sunview Way. Photographers who were there managed to get them out.
![WhistlingDuckL-rescue ducklings [AliceLim]](http://www.besgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/WhistlingDuckL-rescue-ducklings-AliceLim-2.jpg)
![WhistlingDuckL-rescue ducklings [AliceLim]](http://www.besgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/WhistlingDuckL-rescue-ducklings-AliceLim-3.jpg)
(Photo credit: Alice Lim)
Once out, they ran towards their parents and three other siblings that were awaiting for them (below).
Once the nine ducklings were together again (below)…
…the two adults led them towards the undergrowth (below).
Now the question of whether they were Wandering Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna arcuate) or Lesser Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna javanica) or hybrids? We appreciate feedbacks on this.
Dani M Queddeng & Alice Lim
Singapore
14th March 2017
This post is a cooperative effort between Birds, Insects N Creatures Of Asia and BESG to bring the study of birds and their behavior through photography and videography to a wider audience.
Subaraj /Rajathurai
Well done All! Excellent rescue to re-unite a nice family.
Both adults look like D.javanica, based on the thin yellow eye-ring and lack of prominent white plumes, as well as the overall plumage. The ducklings also look rather typical.
However, based on the proximity, these are unlikely to be wild birds but rather originate from the nearby JBP. The bird park is responsible for most of the whistling-ducks seen around Singapore, based on the rather tame behaviour.
Are there any truly wild D.javanica left in Singapore? This species is almost extinct following the destruction of most freshwater habitats and breeding grounds in the 1990s. However, a few may survive in the western and north-west. We do get visitors from Malaysia too, like the recent birds at Pulau Ubin.