Asarcornis scutulata
The White-winged Duck (*Asarcornis scutulata*), also known as the White-winged Wood Duck, is a large, striking, and critically endangered waterfowl species native to Southeast Asia. Males are distinctly larger, reaching lengths of 66-81 cm, a wingspan up to 140 cm, and weighing 2.9-3.9 kg, while females are smaller at 55-66 cm and 1.9-3 kg. This duck is characterized by its dark, often iridescent body plumage, a contrasting white head mottled with black spots or streaks, and most notably, lar...
Found primarily in undisturbed tropical and subtropical lowland evergreen forests, often near slow-moving rivers, swamps, or forest pools. Prefers areas with ample tree cover for roosting and nesting, typically below 200 meters, but occasionally up to 1,400 meters.
An omnivorous diet consisting mainly of aquatic invertebrates (snails, insects, larvae), small fish, amphibians, and seeds, tubers, and shoots of aquatic plants.
White-winged Ducks are notoriously shy, reclusive, and primarily crepuscular or nocturnal, making them difficult to observe. They forage by dabbling and upending in shallow water, but also dive in deeper pools for submerged items. This species is highly territorial, with breeding pairs defending ...
The White-winged Duck's historical range was extensive, but it is now severely fragmented and highly restricted across South and Southeast Asia. Isolated breeding populations persist in northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh), Bangladesh (very few), Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietna...
Critically Endangered
- The White-winged Duck is one of the largest ducks in the world, often cited as the largest dabbling duck in its native range. - Unlike most ducks, it is largely arboreal, roosting and nesting almost exclusively in large tree cavities, often high above the ground. - It is critically endangered, ...