surface, picking out vegetable matter such as seeds, leaves and roots of aquatic plants. Flight is fast, strong and direct.
GARGANEY
Anas querquedula 41 cm F: Anatidae
Description: Small size and rapid flight are characteristic. Breeding mate has prominent white eyebrows. Female has pale brown plumage, with diagnostic light brown stripes across its head.
Voice: Usually silent; sometimes a slight kwak.
Habits: By far the most widespread and numerous migratory duck in the region. Found in prime habitats during the northern winter, sometimes by the thousands. Frequents lakes and reservoirs, also tidal ponds and coastal lagoons, feeding on both vegetable and animal aquatic food found at the water's surface
NORTHERN SHOVELER
Anas clypeata 52 cm F: Anatidae
Description: Photo shows male in captivity. Female is a uniform scaly-brown, but its peculiar bill is always diagnostic.
Voice: A Mallard-like quack.
Habits: Frequents freshwater lakes and reservoirs, but seen less often in coastal wetlands. Feeds by dabbling through the water's surface, extracting both vegetable and tiny animal food with its specialised bill.
COMMON POCHARD
Aythya ferina 44 cm F: Anatidae
Description: Male (photo) unmistakable. Note pate grey body and reddish-brown head. Female is a nondescript brown; lacks the white wing bar in flight
Voice: Usually quiet; sometimes a low hissing call.
Habits: Found in vegetated freshwater ponds and lakes. Often moves out to coastal lagoons and tidal estuaries in winter. Unlike previous species (dabbling ducks in genus Anas) this species belongs to a small group of diving ducks. it feeds on plants and small invertebrates on the water's surface, but readily dives and can swim several metres under water.
TUFTED DUCK
Aythya fuligula 43 cm F: Anatidae
Description: Female (photo) distinguished by small tuft and whitish patch at base of bill. Male has black body contrasting sharply with white planks.
Voice: Usually quiet; during courtship a soft whistling and cooing.
Habits: Frequents freshwater lakes with plenty of vegetation cover and often moves to lagoons and tidal river estuaries, nearer to the coast, during winter. Swims and dives for aquatic plants and insects. A strong flier, like other diving ducks, with a rapid, direct flight. Runs across water surface before lift-off. Dabbling ducks take off vertically.
MANDARIN DUCK
Aix galericulata 48 cm F: Anatidae
Description: Male unmistakable. Female (behind) has diagnostic white 'spectacle'. Captive photo.
Voice: Soft whistle.
Habits: Frequents lakes and pools that are often surrounded by deciduous forest. Also found along flowing rivers, and has a preference for little islands in streams. Feeds by dabbling through the surface water for vegetable food and aquatic invertebrates. The pair forms a strong bond. The nest is built inside a cavity in a tree.
COTTON PYGMY GOOSE
Nettapus coromandelianus 33 cm F: Anatidae
Description: Note diagnostic white head of male (left). Female is pale brown.
Voice: Soft, melodic quacking.
Habits: Not related to and does not resemble a goose, in spite of its name. This small duck frequents lakes and vegetated ponds, where it grazes on floating vegetation. A retiring and shy bird, it is not easy to view clearly. Sometimes seen perching on branches. Nests inside tree-hollows.
WHITE-WINGED DUCK
Cairina scutulata 75 cm F: Anatidae
Description: A large duck with unmistakable plumage and pale head. In flight displays prominent white wing coverts. Captive photo.
Voice: Short honks.
Habits: A shy and retiring duck rarely seen in the wild. Total world population may number less than 1,000 birds. Found around forested ponds and streams in the lowlands and at submontane elevations. Feeds mainly at night and spends the day among dense vegetation along banks.
OSPREY
Pandion haliaetus 55 cm F: Pandionidae
Description: Long, narrow wings, pale underparts and dark mask across eyes are diagnostic.
Voice: Usually
