White-backed Duck
Thalassornis leuconotus
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassAves (Aus)
- OrderAnseriformes
- FamilyAnatidae (Anàtids)
- GenusThalassornis
- SpeciesThalassornis leuconotus (White-backed Duck)
The white-backed duck (Thalassornis leuconotus) is a waterbird of the family Anatidae. It is distinct from all other ducks, but most closely related to the whistling ducks in the subfamily Dendrocygninae, though also showing some similarities to the stiff-tailed ducks in the subfamily Oxyurinae. It is the only member of the genus Thalassornis. Wikipedia →
30–40% of wildlife watchers report a White-backed Duck sighting in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, based on 469 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at iSimangaliso Wetland Park
White-faced Whistling Duck
Dendrocygna viduata
Spur-winged Goose
Plectropterus gambensis
African Pygmy-Goose
Nettapus auritus
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiaca
Yellow-billed Duck
Anas undulata
Red-billed Teal
Anas erythrorhyncha
Hottentot Teal
Spatula hottentota
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor
Comb Duck
Sarkidiornis melanotos
Cape Shoveler
Spatula smithii
Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschata
Cape Teal
Anas capensis
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a White-backed Duck in iSimangaliso Wetland Park?
About 33% of wildlife watchers report a White-backed Duck sighting in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, based on 469 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see White-backed Duck in iSimangaliso Wetland Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for White-backed Duck in iSimangaliso Wetland Park in our monthly data.