Description

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Context:

The white-winged wood duck is the state bird of Assam and has been spotted in an artificial pond "Neelmoni Beel" at Nameri Tiger Reserve (NTR).

About White-Winged Wood Duck:

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.

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Assam

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.

READ ABOUT

ASSAM DAY

Source:

TOI

SNF

PRACTICE QUESTION

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

It is commonly known as the ‘Deo Hans’ or Spirit Duck in Assamese.
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

(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.