Bird Guide

Eastern Spot-billed Duck vs Indian Spot-billed Duck

Eastern Spot-billed Duck (Anas zonorhyncha)

Eastern Spot-billed Duck

Anas zonorhyncha

Large1.2 kgWetland

This duck is around the same size as a mallard and has a scaly patterned body with a blue speculum. At rest the long neck and the bill with the yellow tip are distinctive. It measures 55–63 cm (22–25 in) in length and 83–95 cm (33–37 in) across the wings, with a body mass of 790–1,500 g (1.74–3.31 lb). These are mainly grey ducks with a paler head and neck and a black bill tipped bright yellow. The wings are whitish with black flight feathers below, and from above show a white-bordered green. The male does not have an eclipse plumage. Juveniles are browner and duller than adults.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: renshuchu · CC0
Indian Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha)

Indian Spot-billed Duck

Anas poecilorhyncha

Large1000 gWetland

This duck is around the same size as a mallard and has a scaly patterned body with a green speculum bordered by white. At rest the white stripe stands out and the long neck and the bill with yellow tip and orange red spots at the base are distinctive in the nominate subspecies. In flight it is distinguished by the green speculum with a broad white band at the base. The red spots at the base of the bills are absent in haringtoni. It measures 55–63 cm (22–25 in) in length and 83–95 cm (33–37 in) across the wings, with a body mass of 790–1,500 g (1.74–3.31 lb).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sharad Apte · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Dominic Best · CC0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Eastern Spot-billed Duck and Indian Spot-billed Duck.