Sarkidiornis melanotos
The Knob-billed Duck, *Sarkidiornis melanotos*, is a striking and geographically widespread waterfowl species, instantly recognizable by the prominent, fleshy black knob adorning the male's bill during the breeding season. These large ducks typically measure 56-76 cm (22-30 inches) in length with an impressive wingspan of 116-145 cm (46-57 inches) and can weigh between 1.2 and 2.9 kg (2.6-6.4 lbs). Males are significantly larger than females and sport the distinctive knob, showcasing strong s...
This species thrives in tropical and subtropical freshwater wetlands, including large lakes, rivers, swamps, and flooded grasslands, preferring areas with dense vegetation for cover and nearby trees for roosting. They typically inhabit low-lying areas, rarely found at high elevations.
The diet of the Knob-billed Duck is predominantly vegetarian, consisting mainly of seeds, aquatic plants, and grasses. They forage by dabbling in shallow water or grazing on terrestrial vegetation, occasionally supplementing with small aquatic invertebrates.
Knob-billed Ducks are primarily diurnal, often foraging in the early morning and late afternoon, and roosting communally in trees or on secluded banks during the midday heat. Their foraging strategy involves dabbling in shallow water for seeds and aquatic vegetation, but they will also graze on e...
The Knob-billed Duck boasts a vast and highly disjunct global distribution, encompassing tropical and subtropical regions across three continents. In the Old World, the nominate subspecies *Sarkidiornis melanotos melanotos* breeds widely across Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, the Indian Subcontin...
Least Concern
- The male Knob-billed Duck develops a large, fleshy, black knob on its bill during the breeding season, which can be almost as tall as its head! - Despite being ducks, they are highly arboreal and frequently perch in trees, sometimes at considerable heights, earning them the alternative name "Co...