Sarkidiornis melanotos

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Keoladeo bird sanctuary, Bharatpur. Oct 2010.

Breeding Male.

I saw only one. There may be a few more in areas that were closed due to the presence of tiger. However, I don't think there would more than a handful.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, Canon EF 400mm f2.8 L IS USM, EF 2xII, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/500, EV: +1 2/3, Full frame image.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Satishchandra Ranadive]

Nice shot with threeD effect.I love this bird when it is flight,showing beatutiful wing colors.

[Mrudul Godbole]

The vertical composition is nice. The details are good, even if it is against the light. Thanks for sharing.

[Mohan Raj]

I am seeing this beautiful bird for the first time.
:thumbup1:
Sabyasachi, TFS.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Mohan,
For your info, I am quoting form Birds of South Asia The Ripley Guide by Pamela C. Rasmussen and John C. Anderton


Comb duck:
Sarkidiornis melanotos
Description:
A large heavy pied duck with black bill and legs, dark upperparts and white underparts. Breeding male has huge upright black ‘comb’ (fleshy protuberance) on bill (smaller in non-breeding season); white head and neck heavily freckled with black, and glossy black upperparts. Female is much smaller, without comb. Juvenile is dark brown on crown and upperparts, with dark line through eye and dingy, mottled underparts. Downy young is blackish above, and yellow below with short dark eyeline; yellow side-stripe. In flight wings are all dark and underparts all pale; some (either sex) have whitish lower back.

Occurs: Resident, with water-related movements, at least formerly from Lahore and SE Sind (Pakistan; probably extirpated) through N plains to Assam Valley, and in wooded tracts of Peninsula south to N Kerala; Sri Lanka (lowland dry zone, now only a vagrant). Scarce and local, in well-vegetated swamps, tanks and pools in wooded places.

Habits: Swims, perches and walks well; feeds by grazing or in shallows. Wanders widely in dry season, when may be found in flocks. Breeds in monsoon, often in small colonies, and several females may lay in one nest hole (usually in trees).

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Bibhav Behera]

Lovely image. A very beautiful bird. Thanks for the description Sabyasachi.
Well done in the given situation. Wish the light was from your side. Thanks for sharing.