White-winged wood duck (Asarcornis scutulata) complete detail – updated. Description of White-winged wood duck (Asarcornis scutulata). Classification of White-winged wood duck (Asarcornis scutulata). Habit and habitat of White-winged wood duck. They occur in dense tropical evergreen forests. Roosting and nesting, usually in tree-holes.
Size between 65 cm to 82 cm. The weight of adult male is between 2.8 kg. to 4.2 kg. and the weight of adult female is between 1.8 kg. to 3.5 kg. Upper parts are black with green reflections, the under parts chestnut brown except for the upper breast, which is greenish-black or white. Bill is orange, spotted with black and the plumage of the head is white with black spots or entirely white. They have red or orange eyes. Tail is dark brown with upper tail coverts black with green reflections and the legs are orange. Both sexes are more or less alike, the male having more gloss on the plumage, and being much larger and heavier. Juveniles are duller…………..
White-winged wood duck has white wings when open, with only small patches of white visible when the wings are closed. Upper wing coverts are white with median coverts grey tipped black. In flight, white wing-coverts contrast with the rest of the wings. Body is dull brown in color, but the head and upper neck are speckled with white, more densely on females than males……….
Nesting and breeding season is between July to October. Nest constructed in a tree hole. Eggs 5 to 16, greenish -yellow in color. Incubation period is between 33 to 36 days, mostly incubated by females. The chicks disperse after 13 to 15 weeks of parental care. Average lifespan of White-winged wood duck is between 10 to 15 years………..
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Distinctive Identification
White-winged wood duck has been classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Size between 65 cm to 82 cm. The weight of adult male is between 2.8 kg. to 4.2 kg. and the weight of adult female is between 1.8 kg. to 3.5 kg. They have a wingspan of 115 cm. to 160 cm.
Upper parts are black with green reflections, the under parts chestnut brown except for the upper breast, which is greenish-black or white.
White-winged wood duck has white wings when open, with only small patches of white visible when the wings are closed. Upper wing coverts are white with median coverts grey tipped black. In flight, white wing-coverts contrast with the rest of the wings.
Body is dull brown in color, but the head and upper neck are speckled with white, more densely on females than males.
Bill is orange, spotted with black and the plumage of the head is white with black spots or entirely white. They have red or orange eyes. Tail is dark brown with upper tail coverts black with green reflections and the legs are orange.
Both sexes are more or less alike, the male having more gloss on the plumage, and being much larger and heavier. Juveniles are duller and browner than adults.
Classification
Common Name – White-winged wood duck
Local Lame – Daophlantu / Deo Hans
Zoological Name – Asarcornis scutulata
Kingdom – Animalia
Phylum – Chordata
Class – Aves
Order – Anseriformes
Family – Anatidae
Genus – Cairina
Conservational Status – Schedule – I, according to wildlife (Protection) act, 1972 and classified as Endangered (EN) by the IUCN.
Distribution
White-winged wood duck found in north-east India and Bangladesh, through South East Asia to Java and Sumatra. It is extinct in Java.
In India, the duck is found only in the northeastern part of the country with main concentration in eastern Assam and adjacent areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
The key protected areas for the White-winged wood duck are Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Dihing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, Nameri National Park and Namdapha National Park.
Habit and habitat
White-winged wood duck occurs in dense tropical evergreen forests, near rivers and swamps and they prefer inaccessible swampy areas formed by numerous rivers and streams. Generally, they inhabits slow-flowing streams or rivers and swamps within forested areas.
Roosting and nesting, usually in tree-holes. Call is distinctive and ghostly, and accounts for the Assamese name ‘Deo Hans’ or Spirit Duck.
They feed on aquatic plants, seed, aquatic insects, grain, rice, snails, crustaceans, molluscs, frogs, snakes and fishes. White-winged wood duck is a social bird. They generally found in pairs or in small.
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Nesting and breeding season is between July to October. Egg-laying probably Apr to July. Nest constructed in a tree hole.
Eggs 5 to 16, greenish-yellow in color. Incubation period is between 33 to 36 days, mostly incubated by females. The chicks disperse after 13 to 15 weeks of parental care. Average lifespan of White-winged wood duck is between 10 to 15 years.
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