नकटा-Knob Billed Duck

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You must be surprised with “Nakta” this is what Knob billed duck is known in Hindi, sounds interesting! so without wasting time lets meet Knob Billed Duck.

What's in a name?

Knob billed duck with so many names such as Nakata, Nandukhi, Hansak, Nakawa, Nakihans, Nakuma, Nasachhina, and Comb Duck. So many names in a different language but the reason is one. The unique pattern on the head of the duck defines the name of this bird. Mainly males have a large black knob on the bill this unique pattern is the main reason for such names. Knob Billed Duck, a knob on the bill, you can co-relate the same when you see DSLR section. now we know how it looks like let us know the detailing of the bird in the next section.

The Fantastic facts

The Knob-billed Duck is an unusual, pan-tropical duck this common species is unmistakable. Adults have a white head freckled with dark spots, and a pure white neck and underparts. The upperparts are glossy blue-black upperparts, with bluish and greenish iridescence especially prominent on the secondary (lower arm feathers)

The male is larger than the female and has a large black knob on the bill. Young birds are dull buff below and on the face and neck, with dull brown upperparts, top of the head and eye stripe. The female is similar but smaller and duller than male, and she lacks the fleshy knob. Her plumage is less glossy

Immature Knob-billed Ducks look like a large a greyish female of the Cotton Pygmy Goose and may be difficult to tell apart if no other birds are around to compare size and hue

They often perch in trees, and are typically seen in flocks. During the wet season, they form small flocks and in the dry season, up to 100 individuals can be seen foraging together. Sometimes they separate according to gender

Even though they are locally common, their numbers are declining. Still, due to their wide range, this species is not yet considered globally threatened by the IUCN

Males may have two mates at once or up to five in succession. They defend the females and young but not the nest sites. Unmated males perch in trees and wait for opportunities to mate

They feed on vegetation by grazing or dabbling and to a lesser extent on small fish, invertebrates, and seeds

The Knob-billed Duck is a good flier. It performs slow, but steady and noisy wing beats. When they move to find water, they fly in irregular formation, or in single-file lines, or in V-formation

I hope you liked the content to visit DSLR section to enjoy the pictures, these are taken by me during Bharatpur and Tadoba Visit