Fun Spot-billed Duck Facts For Kids
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Spot-billed ducks live mostly in Asian tropical climates near the wetlands. There are two subspecies of spot-billed ducks namely the Indian spot-billed duck and Eastern spot-billed duck. The scientific name of the Indian spot-billed duck is Anas poecilorhyncha.
The Eastern spot billed duck is known as Anas zonorhyncha. Anas zonorhyncha, or the eastern spot-billed duck, has a paler head and neck. Eastern billed duck Anas zonorhyncha is browner and duller than Indian billed duck Anas poecilorhyncha.
There are small populations of spot billed ducks in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia has a tropical climate which is well suited for eastern billed duck Anas zonorhyncha.
There are some rare sightings of spot-billed ducks in North America. The Eastern spot billed duck is browner and duller than its Indian counterpart and has a green speculum. green speculum (the peculiar bill shape of spot billed duck) of Anas poecilorhyncha and Anas zonorhyncha is a distinctly beautiful feature among birds of the world.
The male has a red to orange spot on the base of the bill tipped bright yellow that distinguishes it from other birds of the world. During the flight, you can see the black wings bordered with bright yellow color.
You may also check out the fact files on eared grebes and ring-necked ducks from Kidadl.
Spot Billed Duck Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a spot-billed duck?
The spot-billed duck is a variety of dabbling duck that is commonly found in South and Southeast Asia with a small population distributed across Siberia. On a lucky day, you may sight spot-billed duck in North America too, but that would be a rare sighting, a sight that would be fit for clicking a nice picture.
You may cherish it later. Its black bill is tipped bright yellow makes it spectacular among birds of the world.
The spot-billed duck has a plumage that has a white and green appearance. To distinguish between Indian spot billed duck Anas Poecilorhyncha and eastern spot billed duck Anas zonorhyncha find out which has paler head and neck.
What class of animal does a spot-billed duck belong to?
The spot-billed duck belongs to the Aves class of animals that all birds belong to. Animals belonging to the Aves class of animals has feathers and beaks or bills.
They do not have teeth and are warm-blooded. Their legs and feet have evolved over millenniums to facilitate adaptation to their habitat. The feet have four toes and the legs and feet have evolved for flying.
Black flight feathers can be seen during flight. The male has a red spot near the base of the bill with a green speculum tipped bright yellow.
How many spot-billed ducks are there in the world?
There are around 10 million spot-billed ducks around the world. The majority of their habitat is in South Asia.
The spot-billed duck that lives in these countries is called Anas poecilorhyncha. Eastern spot billed ducks, Anas zonorhyncha have been sighted by bird watchers in Japan too. These birds are not native to North America so you will not see many of them in North America.
Where does a spot-billed duck live?
You would find most spot-billed ducks in the wetlands where they find plenty of food. Spot billed duck forms small flocks.
You would sight them near a lake, a pond, a marsh where there are worms and fishes to eat. Wetlands are a very special category of habitat. These wetlands provide enough food and protection to the birds and other aquatic life upon which these ducks prey.
What is a spot-billed duck's habitat?
Wetlands. A wetland is a transitional habitat that connects land and water. Water and aquatic life are key to their survival. A wetland is a place full of life and its sounds. They are most crucial for aquatic life and its survival.
Wetlands are a typical feature of tropical parts of the world. A tropical climate is a climate that gets enough sunshine and has an evenly distributed rainfall with a distinct rainy season. Most of the USA and North America are outside the tropical climate zone.
How long does a spot-billed duck live?
The lifespan of a spot-billed duck is similar to a mallard and Pacific Black Duck. SSpot Billed Ducks go on to live for about five to eight years.
These birds do not have many natural predators. They have good a flight and are capable of escaping quickly when in danger. These birds are not domesticated and so the number of years they might go on to live in captivity cannot be ascertained with accuracy.
How do they reproduce?
The spot billed ducks to mate in the rainy season. The amount of rainfall and supply of water is a major determinant of their mating frequency. They make their nests on the ground. The nests are often hidden beneath shrubs and covered by twigs and plant remains.
The breeding time is September to December. Female duck usually lays eight to 14 eggs. Younger birds are duller than adults.
What is their conservation status?
Their conservation status is of Least Concern as per International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Spot Billed Duck Fun Facts
What do spot-billed ducks look like?
Spot-billed ducks look much like other ducks. Though their yellow-tipped black bill distinguishes them from other ducks. The male has a red spot at the base of the black bill. The black bill is tipped with a yellow color spot.
Their legs and feet have evolved for flying. These ducks have a white-bordered green speculum. Their green speculum makes them distinctly beautiful. They also have black flight feathers which are visible when they fly.
How cute are they?
Well, you may call them cute. It is their interesting walk and dabbling that would bring a smile to your face.
How do they communicate?
They communicate with each other by making quack sounds, something quite common among ducks and other birds of the world.
How big is a spot-billed duck?
They are about 15.7-31.8 in (40-81 cm) tall and about 21.6-24.8 in (55-63 cm) long. They are taller than hens but smaller than cats. Eastern spot-billed ducks found in China are duller and smaller than the Indian variety.
How fast can a spot-billed duck fly?
They can fly very fast when in danger. They can make a very quick ascent that is almost vertical in next to no time.
How much does a spot-billed duck weigh?
Male spot-billed ducks weigh about 2.6-3.3 lb (1200-1500 g). Female ducks can weigh about 1.7-2.6 lb (800-1200 g). The lightweight helps in flying faster.
What are the male and female names of the species?
There are no sex-specific names for spot-billed ducks.
What would you call a baby spot-billed duck?
A baby duck is called a duckling.
What do they eat?
Spot-billed ducks eat fishes, plant materials, worms, larvae, snails, and small crabs.
Are they dangerous?
They are not dangerous but can become furious if they sense any imminent danger.
Would they make a good pet?
They are wild ducks and are not usually domesticated. You will find them near a water body where they make nests on the ground.
Did you know...
Their meat was once considered a delicacy among Indian Royals and British living in India.
Do spot-billed ducks migrate?
No, spot-billed ducks do not migrate. These ducks usually live near water bodies and wetlands and those are not scarce. So they do not have a need as such to migrate.
How did the spot-billed duck get its name?
The spot billed duck gets its name from the peculiar green speculum-shaped bill tipped bright yellow and a red spot near the base of the bill.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our blue-winged teal facts and red-throated loon facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable perching duck coloring pages.
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