Indian-Spot Billed Duck

Sept. 25, 2023

An Indian spot-billed with pale plumage was sighted at Manickapuram tank in Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu, recently.

About Indian-Spot Billed Duck:

  • It is a large dabbling duck that is a non-migratory breeding duck throughout freshwater wetlands in the Indian subcontinent.
  • The name is derived from the red spot at the base of the bill that is found in the mainland Indian population.  
  • Scientific Name: Anas poecilorhyncha
  • Distribution and Habitat:
    • It is a resident throughout Pakistan and India in freshwater wetlands.
    • They inhabit both inland and coastal wetlands such as ponds, lakes, pools, streams, creeks, estuaries, tidal flats and marshes.
    • They tend to avoid very large patches of open water and prefer medium-sized wetlands with vegetation cover.
  • Features:
    • It has a scaly patterned body with a green speculum and a band of white tertials.
    • It measures 55–63 cm in length and 83–95 cm across the wings, with a body mass of 790–1,500 g. Males are larger than females.
    • These are mainly grey ducks with a paler head and neck and a black bill tipped bright yellow. 
    • The wings are whitish with black flight feathers below, and from above show a white-bordered green.
    • The legs and feet are bright orange to coral red. Juveniles are browner and duller than adults.
    • Feeding Habits: They mostly feed on grasses and other vegetations. Sometimes they may feed on insects.
  • Conservation Status:
    • IUCN Red List: Least Concern

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