About the Ferruginous Duck
The Ferruginous Duck is a striking migratory diving duck — the male's rich, deep chestnut plumage with a distinctive white eye makes it one of the most handsome of India's wintering waterfowl. A winter visitor to India from its breeding grounds in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, it arrives in October-November and departs by March, gathering in hundreds at important wetlands like Keoladeo, Chilika Lake in Odisha, and the wetlands of Assam.
Despite being classified as Near Threatened globally, the Ferruginous Duck faces increasing pressure from degradation of its wetland habitats in both its breeding grounds (Central Asia) and wintering sites (South Asia). India's wetlands are critical for this species — Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur) is considered one of the most important wintering sites in Asia. The species is particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning from spent ammunition in wetlands where hunting occurs, and to disturbance during courtship and nesting in its Central Asian breeding grounds.