Justification This forest duck is listed as Endangered because it has a very small and fragmented population which is undergoing a very rapid and continuing decline as a result of loss of and disturbance to riverine habitats.

Family/Sub-family Anatidae

Species name author (S. Müller, 1842)

Taxonomic source(s) Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 66-81 cm. Large, dark, forest duck with contrasting whitish head and upper neck. Males have mostly dull yellowish bill, blackish mottling on head and upper neck, white lesser and median coverts and inner edges of tertials and bluish-grey secondaries. In flight, white wing-coverts contrast with the rest of the wings. Females are smaller and usually have more densely mottled head and upper neck. Juvenile is duller and browner. Similar spp. Female Comb Duck Sarkidornis melanotos has mostly whitish underparts and all dark wings. Voice Flight call is series of vibrant honks, often ending with nasal whistle. Also single, short, harsh honks. Hints Very secretive, often feeds only at night.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

250-999

decreasing

370,000 km²

No

Range & population Cairina scutulata was historically widely distributed from north-east India and Bangladesh, through South-East Asia to Java and Sumatra, Indonesia. It has undergone a dramatic decline such that, its population is now estimated at c.1,000 individuals, comprising 200 in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, 150 on Sumatra, Indonesia, 450 in India (chiefly Assam and Arunachal Pradesh) and Bangladesh³ and in the "low hundreds" in Myanmar⁴ following the identification of a significant population numbering tens of individuals in the proposed Hukuang Tiger Reserve. It has also recently been recorded in Bhutan². It continues to decline throughout its range, and is probably extinct in Malaysia and on Java. Recent ornithological surveys within range states led to a proliferation of records, particularly from Cambodia and Myanmar (where recent estimates suggest the population in the north may be several hundred¹) but also Vietnam, Sumatra and India.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It inhabits stagnant or slow-flowing natural and artificial wetlands, within or adjacent to evergreen, deciduous or swamp forests, on which it depends for roosting and nesting, usually in tree-holes. Although lowlands (below c.200 m) provide optimum habitat, it occurs up to 1,400 m, especially on plateaux supporting sluggish perennial rivers and pools.

Threats Its decline is largely attributable to the destruction, degradation and disturbance of riverine habitats including loss of riparian forest corridors. The resultant small, fragmented populations are vulnerable to extinction from stochastic environmental events, loss of genetic variability, disturbance, hunting and collection of eggs and chicks for food or pets. Hydro-power development, inappropriate forest management, and pollution are more localised threats. It may be particularly susceptible to loss of large trees with nesting holes¹.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix I. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and produced, and implements, an action plan for the species. In 1993, 21 protected areas were known to support populations. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Dihing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, both in Assam, were established because of its importance for this species. Conservation awareness materials depicting it have been widely distributed in Laos and Cambodia.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct further surveys to clarify its distribution and status. Instigate regular monitoring of selected key populations. Promote strict enforcement of hunting regulations and minimise encroachment, disturbance and habitat degradation in all protected areas supporting populations. Campaign for increased protection of peat-swamp forest in Sumatra. Campaign against pesticide and oil pollution at key sites in north-east India. Promote widespread conservation awareness campaigns in and around key protected areas. Rapidly introduce the measures outlined above in newly discovered strongholds, e.g. northern Myanmar.

References BirdLife International (2001). 1. W. Duckworth in litt. (2006). 2. Choudhury (2007). 3. A. Choudhury in litt. (2007). 4. J. C. Eames in litt. (2007). 5. Tordoff et al. (in press).

Further web sources of information

Fully detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001), together with new information collated since the publication of the Red Data Book

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Pete Davidson (BirdLife International), Nic Peet (BirdLife International), Joe Tobias (BirdLife International)

Contributors Anwaruddin Choudhury (The Rhino Foundation), Will Duckworth (Wildlife Conservation Society), Jonathan C Eames (BirdLife International in Indochina)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Cairina scutulata. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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