The Fulvous whistling duck is a common but wary species. It is largely resident, apart from local movements, but vagrancy has occurred to southern Europe. It nests on a stick platform in reeds, laying 8 to 12 eggs, but hollow trees or old bird nests are occasionally used for nesting.

Its habitat is still freshwater lakes, rice fields or reservoirs with plentiful vegetation. This duck feeds mainly at night on seeds and other parts of plants.

The Fulvous whistling duck has a long gray bill, long head and legs, buff head and underparts, reddish-tinged flanks, a dark crown, and dark gray back and wings. The tail and wing patches are chestnut, and there is a white crescent on the upper tail which is visible in flight.

All plumages are similar, except that juveniles have less contrasted flank and tail coloration.

This species is gregarious, and at favored sites, substantial flocks can form. As the name implies, these are noisy birds with a clear whistling kee-wee-ooo call.