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The Comb Duck that was a resident in the past but was declared extinct in Sri Lanka due to it being hunted in the colonial days, has been classified as a very rare migrant. It is also one of the largest species of duck. The male is much larger than the female, and has a large black knob on the bill.
Comb Duck or Knob-billed Duck is now considered as a very rare winter migrant to the weedy tanks and water holes adjoining or in forests of the dry lowlands. However earlier it was considered as a common breeding resident, though nowhere numerous (Legge, V, 1880) In Legge's time it was not uncommon on the tanks of the Vanni and common though not plentiful in the North-Western province and Anuradhapura district, frequenting the Medawachchiya and other tanks. It was also found at Mulative and Toopoor, south of Trincomalee. In the eastern province it was inhabited by Irukkaman and other tanks. Fisher, C.C.S. found it breeding near Yala and there were also records from Tissamaharama tank and probably from Urubokka and other tanks near Tangalle
In 2016, it was reported by a journalist on having seen the long lost comb duck “On 19th September last year (2016), I was on my way to Mullikulam along the old Puttalam - Mannar road, bordering the Wilpattu National Park. It took nearly three hours for us to reach our destination (from 15.30 to 18.15 hours). With the setting sun on the western sky to our left, conditions were ideal to see a few animals. But to our disappointment, no animal was sighted except for a couple of mongoose. Even of the birds, only a few Malabar Pied and Gray Hornbills, a couple of flocks of Orange-breasted and Green Imperial Pigeons and a single Indian Roller were spotted.
Around 17.05 hours, when we were passing the Kulam Mottai tank/villu just before the Periya Naga Villu, one in our vehicle spotted a huge crocodile with its jaws wide-opened at the other edge of the tank. Since he wanted to take a photo of the crocodile, we stopped there and even before we could leave our vehicle, my eyes suddenly caught sight of a small flock of strange geese-like birds, at the edge of the water, hardly 50 meters away from the road, but well covered by the scrub jungle that separated the tank from the road. As the birds (which were much bigger than the ordinary ducks) were craning their necks in alarm, I could not believe my eyes when I realized that it was a flock of Comb Duck. I earnestly beckoned the rest to keep still and managed to take a few quick shots using my non-professional ordinary camera.”
Habits of Comb duck
Comb Duck inhabits weedy tanks and lives as small flocks.
It feeds on various vegetable substances like grains, grasses, seeds of water plants, paddy and also a variety of aquatic animals.
It has a powerful, speedy flight.
It is less nocturnal contrary to most ducks and roosts at night on larger boughs of trees. The breeding season in Sri Lanka was reported as February to March.
The nest is a collection of grass and sticks mixed with feathers and placed in a large hollow in the trunk of a big tree growing near water where it lays 7 to 12 or more eggs.
It breeds in Africa, India, South China and South America.
Historical Records
The awareness of the Comb Duck’s presence in Sri Lanka stretches as far back over two and a half centuries. The species was first collected and recorded between 1752 - 1757 during the administration of the Dutch Governor Gideon Loten (1710-1789). It was present in the neighborhood of Colombo which was a part of the Maritime territories under Dutch rule.
Although not formally recorded so far, several sightings of Comb Ducks were reported during last year and early this year in Social media from Navadankulama, Kirala kele and Maramba tank of Matara, Kibulawela of Kotte, Jaffna, Trincomalee and Weerawila
The sightings of Comb Duck in 2012 – About 58 birds
The sightings of Comb Duck in 2013 – About 103 birds
The sightings of Comb Duck in 2016 – About 33 birds (Based on Ceylon Bird Club Notes)
There are two possible causes for the comb duck’s disappearance during the late 1800s,.
loss of their natural habitat
loss of nesting ground due to competition it would have faced from other breeds of duck, which
Besides, due to duck-hunting (which was a popular sport during those colonial days), by the time of wait (in the first half of 20th century) the numbers of the Comb Duck had already started. The British colonialists were responsible for the extinction of this bird from the country. The Comb Duck was hunted as a sport and for food by these British colonialists.
What can we do save Comb Duck in Sri Lanka
Government can stop the players and hunters from the natural urge to shoot a beautiful duck, which will give them a chance to rehabilitate as a resident species. As students we can share the value of these rare birds to people all around the country. Officers can find new methods to produce comb ducks, raise money for animal rescue and reduce forest cutting.
Written By: Rtr. Deva Anjula Udishan
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