Mareca falcata

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.