This individual seems to be in heavy molt. Interestingly according to HANZAB, molt in this species has never been described. These ducks were slightly more common than the Wandering Whistling-Duck at Kakadu. Unlike Wandering Whistling-Ducks, Plumed Whistling-Ducks have huge lanceolate shaped plumes pointing upward from their flanks. They also have pink legs and feet, and a partly pink bill. Plumed Whistling-Ducks are largely nocturnal, roosting near wetlands during the day but foraging primarily in grasslands at night. In all Whistling-Ducks, the males and females look similar.
Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LZ5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter)