The Indian Spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) is a dabbling duck belonging to the family Anatidae.
The Indian Spot-billed duck species are distributed in Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Myanmar, China and Southeast Asian countries.
Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Anas poecilorhyncha
- Common Name: Spot-billed duck
- French: Canard à bec tacheté; German: Indien-Fleckschnabelente; Spanish: Ánade picopinto indio;
- Other names: Indian spot-billed duck;
- Family: Anatidae › Anseriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
- Species author: Forster, 1781
Anas poecilorhyncha is now considered as a separate species from A. zonorhyncha. It is also considered closely related to A. superciliosa and A. luzonica.
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| Indian birds - Spot-billed duck - Anas poecilorhyncha |
Description
The male spot-billed ducks are larger than the females, measuring 60 to 65 cm in length and weighing 1,200 to 1,500 grams. The females weigh 800 to 1,350 grams. Their wingspan is 80 to 90 cm.It has a scaly patterned body with a green speculum and a band of white tertials. The body is brown-grey. The females are more brown with duller patterns. The dark bill is tipped yellow. The male duck has an orange red patch at the base of the bill.
Habitat
These spot-billed duck species inhabit both inland and coastal wetlands such as ponds, lakes, pools, streams, creeks, estuaries, tidal flats and marshes.Feeding habits
They mostly feed on grasses and other vegetations. Sometimes they may feed on insects.Breeding
The breeding season varies according to the local rainy season. The birds in Northern India breed during July to October and those in South India breed during November and December.The nest is built near water and is concealed in vegetation. Eight to twelve eggs may be seen in the nest.
Distribution
The subspecies A. p. poecilorhyncha is distributed in the Indian Subcontinent, including Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. The subspecies A. p. haringtoni is distributed in Assam State in India, Myanmar, China and Vietnam.Movement Patterns
These spot-billed duck species are mostly sedentary and they may migrate locally for water sources and feeding grounds.Status and conservation
These duck population is large and is widespread. The combined population of both the subspecies is estimated to be 150,000-1,100,000 individuals. There is pressure of hunting, habitat degradation and hybridization with other closely related species.The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these spot-billed duck species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".
| Biological classification of Anas poecilorhyncha | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Anas |
| Species: | A. poecilorhyncha |
| Binomial name: | Anas poecilorhyncha |
| Distribution: | Indian Subcontinent, China, Myanmar, Southeast Asia; |
| Feeding habits: | seeds, insects, aquatic plants, roots, tubers and shoots; |
| IUCN status listing: |  Least Concern |
Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spot-billed_Duck_(Anas_poecilorhyncha)_in_Hyderabad_W2_IMG_8867.jpg
Author: J.M.Garg | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Spot-billed duck - Anas poecilorhyncha.