Northern Shoveller

A winter migrant to India, the Northern Shoveller (Anas Clypeata) is a common bird spotted across open wetlands and other fresh water bodies in most parts of the country. It is widespread across Europe and Asia, and is also resident in North America. These birds are easily identified by their large spatulate bills. The males have an iridescent dark green head with a white and chestnut body during breeding season. At other times, the eclipse male (non-breeding) is similar to the mottled-brown colored female.

Northern Shoveller, male, at Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Haryana, India

Northern Shovellers feed by dabbling in shallow waters. Their specialized bills allow them to strain water for aquatic invertebrates. Comb-like structures on the edge of the bills act as sieves, and get them a rich carnivorous diet.

Eclipse male, at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary in Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Drakes and a female Shoveller swim at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary

These birds nest away from water, on the ground, laying a clutch of about nine eggs. The males defend the nest and female from predators. They are very territorial and fights away other competing males during the breeding season. The males also perform elaborate courtship to attract their mates. However, in non-breeding season, the Northern Shovellers form small flocks and are gregarious in nature.

Northern Shovellers flying over Okhla Bird Sanctuary, near Delhi

A male Northern Shoveller flies alongside a Eurasian Wigeon at Bharatpur

With over 4 million birds globally, the Northern Shoveller is placed in the “Least Concern” category of IUCN. Fortunately, their numbers are growing unlike many other species, and they will continue being our winter guests for a long time. 

A flock of Northern Shovellers in flight over Dhanauri wetlands, Uttar Pradesh

Indian Spot-billed Duck

The Indian Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) is a common resident in lakes and other fresh water bodies across India. The name comes from the yellow tip and red spot on the bill. It has a brownish scaly-patterned body and green speculum, with white tertials that are prominent in flight.  It’s legs and feet are orange in color. It is a medium sized duck and weighs between 750 gm to 1.5 kg.

Indian Spot-billed duck at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary near Delhi

Though these ducks are found with their mate during the breeding season, they flock together in large numbers at other times. Almost every lake would find a few ducks, either roosting or busy swimming around. They take to flight at the slightest alarm with loud quacks and a noisy beating of wings.

Indian Spot-billed duck at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary near Delhi

They are dabbling ducks, and they dive to eat vegetation below the water. Unlike their cousins, the Eastern Spot-billed Duck that migrates to the far east, the Indian Spot-billed Ducks do not migrate but are resident year round in India.

Indian Spot-billed Ducks in flight over Surajpur Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh

Breeding is usually between July to September depending on the rains, and they build nests on the ground near a water source. During this season, it is common to see these ducks in pairs, followed by a string of ducklings.

Indian Spot-billed Ducks at Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur

Indian Spot-billed Ducks at Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur

Indian Spot-billed Ducks take off at Surajpur Bird Sanctuary

These birds are classified as “Least Concern” in the IUCN Red List. The population is seen decreasing, but not so much to be categorized as vulnerable.

Indian Spot-billed Duck flying over Basai wetlands near Gurgaon

I have photographed these birds at almost all the water bodies and marshes that I visit for birding, so much so that I have stopped clicking them unless it is for aesthetic reasons. These birds are beautiful in water and in flight, and good sunlight brings out brilliant colors in these otherwise ordinary birds. 

Indian Spot-billed Duck, Bharatpur

Amidst marsh vegetation at Bharatpur

Roosting on water at Okhla Bird Sanctuary

Indian Spot-billed duck at Surajpur Bird Sanctury

A brace of Indian Spot-billed ducks at Surajpur Bird Sanctuary

Eurasian Wigeon

The Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) is migratory duck that flies in from northern Asia including Siberia and Europe to south Asia. They are widespread across the northern and western parts of India, though they can be sighted in other locations too. It is a dabbling duck, in the sense that it submerges in water to feed on vegetation and other plant matter. It weights between 500 gm and 1 kg, and the breeding males are easily identified with their chestnut colored heads and cream stripe on their crown, with a brilliant white patch on upper wings as seen in the picture here. The female is light brown, as are non-breeding males.

Eurasian Wigeon flies above a Northern Shoveller in Bharatpur

The Eurasian Wigeon is usually found in open wetlands and marshy terrain. Apart from the breeding season, these birds are found in large flocks and are very noisy birds. They nest on the ground, as many other ducks do. With large and stable population globally, the Eurasian Wigeon has been categorized under “Least Concern” by IUCN.

Until now, I have not been able to sight or photograph any specimen on the ground, mostly due to lack of spotting skills in my first year of birding, but was lucky enough to catch one in flight during a winter visit to Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur.

Gadwall

Gadwalls (Anas Strepera) are medium sized migratory ducks that migrate to India during the winters. They are found across Asia, Europe and North America. They are found near lakes, marshes, reed beds and other water bodies, and they are often overlooked due to their dull plumage. The male is dark brown with a black patch on its tail, and the female is patterned with brown with a thin orange edge to its dark bill. Males are slightly larger than the females. They are usually sighted in pairs during winters.

A pair of Gadwall, Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur

These birds love open spaces, and feed on submerged vegetation like algae, stems, roots, seeds, etc. by dabbling in the water, along with other dabbling ducks. Gadwalls are known to steal food from other birds like coots and ducks. During the breeding season, they supplement their food with insects, snails and other invertebrates.

Gadwall in flight, Surajpur Bird Sanctuary, Greater Noida

A family of Gadwalls at Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur

Gadwalls form flocks like other ducks, and they display elaborate mating behavior while attracting their mates or warning off other ducks. Their numbers are growing though they are highly prized by hunters, and are placed in the category of “Least Concern” by IUCN. These ducks are often confused for mallards.

Cotton Pygmy-goose

The Cotton Pygmy-goose or Indian pygmy-goose or Cotton teal (Nettapus coromandelianus) is one of the smallest waterfowl in the world, and resident in the Indian subcontinent, south-east Asia and some parts of Australia. These perching ducks are predominantly white in color, and are common across lakes, ponds and other water bodies.

Cotton Pygmy-goose, Surajpur Bird Sanctuary, Greater Noida

However, I have found very few specimens during my 18 months of birding, and I would blame it on my own shortcomings in identifying the bird. I have until date photographed just a couple of birds in flight, which is surprising since this bird is reportedly found even in village ponds where it becomes almost tame. I will be adding on more images as and when I am lucky enough to find them!

Cotton Pygmy-goose, Surajpur Bird Sanctuary, Greater Noida

[Update (09 Sept 2015): As always, one finds birds when one looks for them. This has proven true when I started my earnest search for them, and spotted them right at my first trip to Bharatpur this season! Images from Bharatpur have been updated in this blog]

Cotton Pygmy-Geese at Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur on 06 Sept 2015

The Cotton Pygmy-goose feeds on seeds, vegetation, insects, etc. They are non-migratory and nest in tree holes. They are fast fliers and can dive quite well. The breeding season is July to September.

Cotton Pygmy-Goose at Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur on 06 Sept 2015

These pied birds are graceful flyers and during the rainy season, engage in mid-air courtship flights! As tree ducks, the Cotton Pygmy-Goose can be sighted sitting atop trees when they aren't in water or flight. Being abundant in numbers, these birds are categorized as “Least Concern” by IUCN.

Ruddy shelduck

Ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) is a medium sized migratory bird, easily identified by its orange-brown body and whitish-buff head. These birds have an extensive range from southern Europe to much of Asia. They mostly winter in the Indian sub-continent. They are also found to breed in high altitude lakes of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ruddy Shelducks, Basai wetlands near Gurgaon

As such, these birds are fairly common across northern India from October to April, and are found near large water bodies, swamps and rivers. They are less common in South India. They are very good swimmers, but are not much dependent on water for breeding as other ducks. Males and females are mostly similar, though the male has a black ring at the base of its neck, and the females a white patch on its head, during the breeding season.

Ruddy Shelducks fly over Surajpur Bird Sanctuary, Greater Noida

These nocturnal birds are omnivorous and feed on vegetation such as shoots and seeds, as well as small fish, shrimp, insects, etc. They are usually found in pairs or small flocks, but can also be found in large congregations especially during the moulting period. They nest in holes in sand or by the banks of rivers, burrows of trees or even abandoned buildings, usually a bit far from water. These birds avoid coastal waters or places with thick vegetation, preferring open spaces for roosting.

Ruddy Shelducks, Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur

With global populations between 150,000 to 300,000, the Ruddy shelduck is categorized as “Least Concern” by IUCN. There is no evidence that the size of these birds are shrinking. Threats are few, and safe from hunting, as they are considered holy in many Asian countries.

Ruddy Shelduck at Surajpur Bird Sanctuary, Greater Noida

I have sighted these birds at almost all the water bodies I have visited during the winters. Most images are from Surajpur Bird Sanctuary in Greater Nodia, Uttar Pradesh and Basai wetlands near Gurgaon, Haryana. These birds are a beauty to behold, either in water or in flight with their striking colors.

Knob-billed Duck

Knob-billed Duck or Comb Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos) is a very recognizable bird found in tropical areas across the world, including the Indian subcontinent, Africa and even South America. Their name stems from the large fleshy black knob or ‘comb’ on the bills of the male birds. They are amongst the largest of ducks, weighing between 1 – 3 kg and have a white head, speckled with black. The body has glossy blue and black upper part, while the neck and under-part of the body is pure white. Males are generally larger than the females.

 Knob-billed Duck flying over Basai Wetlands, Gurgaon

Though these ducks are fairly common during the summer and rainy season, I have had limited success in sighting them, and much lesser success photographing them. The only two specimens I have are posted in this blog, and hopefully, I will be able to shoot more images and post an update soon.

The knob-billed ducks breed during the rainy season around lakes and fresh water bodies. They build their nests in tree holes, and solitary males are often found on tree branches waiting for a female.  The male may have 2 or more mates during a season. The unique aspect of this species is that several females may lay eggs in one nest – often up to 50 eggs at one location!

Knob-billed Duck roosting at Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur

The birds feed on vegetation, and at times eat small fish and crustaceans. They are a menace to farmers since they destroy crops, especially rice. These birds are categorized as “least concern” by IUCN, though their numbers are generally dwindling.