From Opus

Cairina scutulata

Photo by James Eaton
Location: Preah Vihar,Cambodia

[edit] Identification

66-81cm. Dark brown, almost black, body, white patches on the wings, white head and neck, spotted with black. Females are smaller and usually have more densely mottled head and upper neck. Juvenile is duller and browner. Endangered.

[edit] Distribution

Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sumatra, India, Bangladesh and Burma.

[edit] Taxonomy

Some authorities place this species in the monotypic genus Asarcornis.

The species is monotypic.

[edit] Habitat

Stagnant or slow-flowing natural and artificial wetlands, within or adjacent to evergreen, deciduous or swamp forests.

[edit] Behaviour

They feed mostly at night; the diet includes seeds and aquatic plants, insects, larva, worms, small fish and frogs.

They spend most of the day in the shade of tall trees in order to avoid sunlight.

It nests in tree holes.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages