Plumed Whistling Duck

[loose cannon]

Came eye to eye with this mob on an early morning stroll. I thought they looked quite cute.

[seaslug]

They have their eye on you!

Don't think I've seen these before although they are not unlike Cape Barren Geese in their markings.

[loose cannon]

Cheers Greg.

[Phoenix]

They are not like ducks we get around here.
Are they called whistling ducks because of the sound they make in flight?

I do like their expressions...as if to ask "does he have a gun"?

[loose cannon]

I'm not sure of the origin of the name but assume it has something to do with flight as you suggested. There's a flock of about 5000 of them at the local poo farm.

[Phoenix]

Wiki
The call is a characteristic whistle which gives the bird its common name.

That would sound amazing to here 500 whistlers!