Chinese Spot-billed Duck

The Chinese spot-billed duck, also called the eastern spot-billed duck, is a dabbling duck that breeds in East and South-east Asia. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Indian spot-billed duck. It measures 55–63cm long with an 83–95cm wingspan and weighs 790–1,500g. The name comes from the yellow spot on the bill: these are mainly grey ducks with a paler head and neck and a black bill tipped bright yellow, and the male has no eclipse plumage. It is darker and browner than the Indian spot-billed duck (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is migratory, wintering in southern China and possibly South-east Asia, and is quite gregarious outside the breeding season, forming small flocks. It nests on the ground in vegetation near water, usually laying 7–9 eggs; incubation begins after the last egg is laid and the young hatch after about 24 days. Calls are similar to a mallard's, with a loud quack from females and a deeper, quieter sound from males (Wikipedia, general species account).