Bright pink feet and bill, dark chest and belly and tan upperparts make them easy to identify. They are in the habit of perching in the open, either on a tree or on a weed raft in the marsh. They are very vocal and true to their name make a high pitched winny or whistle.
They are cavity nesters and will use a Wood Duck box if the hole is large enough.
A breeding range map is available form the Breeding Bird Survey