Pottery Toucan Bird Whistle

Hello Board Buddies - I know we've had whistles pop up before so I'm hoping someone can help me. The whistle is 4" across and 2 1/4" tall. Emits a high pitched sound. I did find one being sold alongside a monkey whistle on a famous auction site but that auction provided no really useful info. Any help regarding its age, origin, etc. would be much appreciated.
Don

 

It's a contemporary import from China, sold wholesale through DHgate.com, one of at least 15 different bird design whistles sold in lots of 200.

The shape of the whistle, where the long "stem" that you blow into is attached to the base, is a key feature in identifying contemporary whistles from China. They started with a large assortment of animals, about 10-15 years ago, have now expanded into numerous bird designs. The whistles are all glazed, and basically the same shape, with just the bird or animal attached. A web search for "animal whistles China" will show more.

 

Thank you very much, Taupou! I suspected as much. When I googled toucan whistles the examples I saw were much more elaborate and clearly hand made. Mine looks mass produced. Thanks again!
Don

 

maybe not much help. but here's a site calling it a woodpecker whistle:
http://www.dx.com/p/nostalgic-ceram...d-whistle-off-white-black-152597#.WsOplkxFwqQ

 

Is this one of the water whistles? Pour in a bit of water and hear how it sounds.

 

It does appear to be a water whistle. I would put some water in it and try it out but I've already got a $5 price tag on it and it's in the box for the antique mall.
Don