About the Indian Spot-billed Duck
The Indian spot-billed duck is a species of large dabbling duck that is a non-migratory breeding duck throughout freshwater wetlands in the Indian subcontinent. The name is derived from the red spot at the base of the bill that is found in the mainland Indian population. When in water it can be recognized from a long distance by the white tertials that form a stripe on the side, and in flight it is distinguished by the green speculum with a broad white band at the base. This species and the eastern spot-billed duck were formerly considered conspecific, together called the spot-billed duck.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
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).
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Indian Spot-billed Duck sounds like
Where the Indian Spot-billed Duck lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Belgium, Germany, Taiwan, France, Poland, Spain.
When to see the Indian Spot-billed Duck
Peak activity in January · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Chestnut TealAnas castaneaThe chestnut teal is darker and a slightly bigger bird than the grey teal.
Yellow-billed DuckAnas undulataThese are mallard-sized mainly grey ducks with a darker head and bright yellow bill.
Eastern Spot-billed DuckAnas zonorhynchaThis duck is around the same size as a mallard and has a scaly patterned body with a blue speculum.
Side by side: Indian Spot-billed Duck vs Mottled Duck · Grey Teal vs Indian Spot-billed Duck · Chestnut Teal vs Indian Spot-billed Duck · Indian Spot-billed Duck vs Yellow-billed Duck · Eastern Spot-billed Duck vs Indian Spot-billed Duck
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