Common Name

White-winged Duck or White-winged Wood Duck (Asarcornis scutulata)

Alternative Name

'Deo Hans' or Spirit Duck in Assamese

State Bird

Assam, India

Distribution and Status

Historical Range

Northeast India and Southeast Asia.

Current Range

About 800 individuals remain, with approximately 450 living in India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

In India

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Protected Areas

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Dihing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, Nameri National Park, Namdapha National Park.

Features

Appearance

Black body, white head heavily spotted with black, white-spotted wings, red or orange eyes.

Size

The average length of about 81 cm; male larger with more sheen.

Activity Pattern

Crepuscular (most active at dusk and dawn).

Diet

Omnivorous.

Major Threats

Habitat Loss

Destruction, degradation, and disturbance of wetlands and pristine rainforests.

Nesting Habitat Loss

Loss of swampy areas with primary forests and large trees.

Poaching

Direct threats of bird and egg poaching.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Endangered.

Name

Location

Key Features

Significance

Kaziranga National Park

Golaghat, Nagaon, and Sonitpur districts

UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros.

One of the most significant tiger habitats in India.

Manas National Park

Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar districts

UNESCO World Heritage Site, a critical tiger reserve and an elephant habitat.

Known for its rich biodiversity and wildlife conservation.

Orang National Park

Sonitpur district

Home to the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros and a variety of other wildlife species.

Important for rhino conservation efforts.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Morigaon district

Known for the highest density of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros.

Key site for rhino conservation.

Nameri National Park

Sonitpur district

Diverse flora and fauna, including tigers, elephants, and a variety of bird species.

Important bird-watching site.

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts

Unique wetland ecosystem, home to the White-winged Duck and several other endangered species.

UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary

Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts

Known for its rich biodiversity, including the Red Panda and various bird species.

Part of the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot.

Raimona National Park

Kokrajhar district

Recently declared national park, part of the Bodoland Territorial Region.

Focus on tiger and elephant conservation.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about White-winged Wood Ducks:

1. It is commonly known as the ‘Deo Hans’ or Spirit Duck in Assamese.
2. It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and poaching.

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: b

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: It is the state bird of the Indian state of Assam. In India, the key protected areas for the white-winged duck are Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Dihing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, Nameri National Park and Namdapha National Park. White-winged duck (Asarcornis scutulata), also known as “Deo hanh” in Assamese, was once widely distributed in Northeast India and Southeast Asia. 

Statement 2 is incorrect: Due to ongoing habitat loss, a small population size, and because this duck is hunted for food, eggs and pets, the white-winged duck is evaluated as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.