known india duck member family distinctive length wingspan orange brown body plumage paler head tail flight feathers wings black contrasting white wing migratory bird indian breeding southeastern europe central asia small resident populations north_africa loud inhabits inland water bodies lakes rivers male female form lasting pair bond nest away water hole cliff tree similar site clutch eggs laid solely female weeks young cared parents weeks hatching central eastern asia populations steady rising europe generally decline altogether birds wide range large total population assessed conservation status concern taxonomy member genus family bird described german zoologist botanist named later transferred genus authorities place genus south african australian paradise phylogenetic analysis shows closely related south african captivity known members members duck genus egyptian subspecies recognised genus comes french common originally derive celtic word meaning english duck dates means species latin refers colour plumage description grows length wingspan male orange brown body plumage paler orange brown head neck separated body narrow black collar flight feathers tail tail feathers black green feathers inner surfaces wings upper lower wing white feature particularly noticeable flight hardly visible bird rest bill black legs dark grey female similar pale whitish head neck lacks black collar sexes variable fades feathers age birds end breeding season male loses black collar partial december april juveniles similar female darker shade brown series loud nasal notes possible difference produced male female calls ground air sounds variable according circumstances distribution habitat small resident populations species north west africa main breeding area bird southeast europe central asia lake western china eastern populations migratory indian species island breeding reaching population pairs common winter visitor india arrives october departs april typical breeding habitat large wetlands rivers mud flats banks found large numbers lakes breeds high altitude lakes swamps outside breeding season prefers lowland streams sluggish rivers ponds flooded grassland marshes rare southeast europe southern spain common asian range population gives rise far west iceland great_britain ireland european population declining likely occurrences western europe recent decades escapes feral birds bird observed wild time time eastern north_america evidence found genuine case open locations inland bodies water lakes rivers seldom seen forested areas occur water common inhabits higher altitudes central asia bar headed found lakes behaviour mainly nocturnal bird feeds grasses young shoots plants grain water plants aquatic terrestrial invertebrates land foliage water greater depths ends dive usually found pairs small groups rarely forms large flocks gatherings chosen lakes slow rivers large gatherings thousand birds recorded barrage thousand turkey birds arrive main breeding locations central asia march april strong pair bond male female thought pair life breeding quarters birds aggressive kind species female particular approaches head lowered neck anger calls stands ground female returns male runs round attack mating takes place water brief courtship ritual involving neck stretching head tail raising nesting site far away water hole tree ruined building cliff sand dunes animal nest constructed female feathers grasses clutch eggs range laid late april early june dull white averaging female male stands attendance nearby eggs hatch days parents care young days breeding adults losing power flight month large water bodies easily avoid predation family stay group time autumn migration starts september young mature second year north african birds breed weeks earlier breeding success greater wet summers status regard sacred gives birds protection central eastern asia population thought steady rising black important area ducks receive protection europe hand populations generally declining wetlands drained birds hunted vulnerable new habitats wide range estimated total population size individuals overall population trend unclear local populations increasing decreasing bird appear meet higher criteria necessary considered threatened conservation status concern species agreement conservation african migratory applies
Ruddy shelduck