The falcated duck is a small dabbling duck from the east Palearctic (East Siberia and Mongolia to North Japan, and in winters, in India). The breeding male is unmistakable as most of it’s body plumage is finely speckled grey, with the long sickle-shaped tertials (flight feathers closest to the bird’s body along the wing) hanging off it’s back, which give this species its name. The large head is dark green with a white throat, and a dark green collar and bronzed crown. The vent region is patterned in yellow, black and white. The female falcated duck is dark brown, with plumage much like a female wigeon. It’s long grey bill is an aid to identification. Young birds are more buff than the female and have short tertials. The male falcated duck has a clear low whistle, whereas the female has a gruff “quack.” Both male and female birds are 18–21 inches, and weight about 1–2 pounds (males weigh more than females). Wingspan ranges from 31–36 inches.
Location: Wilderness Trek Birds
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Range
The falcated duck breeds in eastern Asia and nests in eastern Russia, extreme northeastern North Korea, northern China, northeastern inner Mongolia and northern Japan. They are migratory and winter in much of Southeast Asia.
Habitat
This is a species that prefers lowland wetlands, such as water meadows or lakes, and usually feeds by dabbling for plant food or grazing. It nests on the ground, near water and under the cover of taller vegetation.
Conservation Status
Primary Threats
Gestation
Females incubate the eggs alone. Incubation period in the wild is unknown; in human care for 24–25 days.
Litter
The clutch is 6–10 eggs that are white with a pinkish yellow tint.
Behavior
They are gregarious outside the breeding season, forming large flocks. They are usually quiet except on breeding territory.
Reproduction
Eggs are generally laid in late May on the ground in thick grasses, tussocks, swamped shrubbery or hidden in deadwood generally near water. They have been seen in small bushes approximately 260 feet from the water.
Wild Diet
They are primarily herbivores but will also eat small invertebrates and other insects.
Zoo Diet
