From Opus

Anas poecilorhyncha

Photo by Rakesh
Photo taken: Kavdi, Pune, India

[edit] Identification

With 58-63 cm slightly bigger than a Mallard.
The body is blackish and heavily scaled (solid brown in zonorhyncha). The head is withish with a black cap and eyestripe. The terminal half of the inner tertial are white (only lower edge in zonorhyncha) and the bill is black with a yellow tip. Males of the nominate subspecies and haringtoni have a variable red spot at the base of the bill, haringtoni a smaller one.
Shows a green speculum in flight.

[edit] Distribution

Widely distributed in Eastern Asia from southeast Siberia, Japan, China south to Laos and Burma and throughout the Indian Subcontinent.

[edit] Taxonomy

A dabbling duck of the genus Anas. Forms a superspecies with the Pacific Black Duck and Philippine Duck.
Three subspecies: zonorhyncha in the northern part, haringtoni in East Assam, Burma, South China and Laos and the nominate poeciloryncha in the Indian Subcontinent. The subspecies zonorrhyncha is sometimes considered a full species, Chinese Spot-billed Duck, Anas zonorhyncha.

[edit] Habitat

Various types of wetlands, at the coast and inland. Prefers shallow water with vegetation.

[edit] Behaviour

Breeding season variable. Usually in single pairs but may form loose small colonies. Nests in a pad of vegetation on the ground or in trees, always near water. Lays 7-9 eggs.
Feeds vegetarian, mostly seeds, parts of grasses, sedges and aquatic vegetation. Only occasionally water inscects are taken. Like other dabbling ducks this species feeds head-dipping and upending in the water.
The northernmost populations are migratory and spend the winter in south and east China. Tropical populations may move seasonally.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages