The
Spotted-billed duck is about 60cm long and has a wingspan of
245-300cm when in flight. The front portion of their black beaks
are yellow, and their legs and feet are both orange-red. Males
and females have the same coloring, including brownish-black
plumage, almost entirely white faces with white supercilium,
black eye patches that stretch from the base of their bills
to the area just below their eyes, and light brown areas between
their faces and upper necks. In flight, their dark blue specula
and the white coverts under their wings can be clearly seen,
as can the two long white stripes on their flanks. Spotted-billed
ducks also have tertiary feathers with light colored borders
that are very easy to spot.
Behavior:
Spotted-billed
ducks are herbivorous birds that build their nests in the grassy
bushes located near ponds in the summertime. They are often
spotted in small groups on lakeshores in the company of other
aquatic birds, such as the Green-winged teal. Spotted-billed
ducks will usually send a few scouts to northern Taiwan in late
August to survey flying routes, and once those routes have been
established, then the rest of the population will relocate to
the island in November and stay until early May. The Spotted-billed
duck's long, slim wings make it an excellent flyer.
Habitat:
Spotted-billed
ducks can be found in the waters of the Kinmen area, primarily
in ponds, lakes, and marshlands. Some are just winter visitors
to the island while others are permanent residents.
