Knob-billed Duck

Sarkidiornis melanotos

Other Pics: Female Knob-billed Duck

Other Names

  Comb Duck, Knob-billed Goose, Black-backed Goose   Canard à bosse, Sarcidiome, Canard-à-bosse bronzé, Canard casqué   Glanzente   Pato Crestudo   Knöland   Knobbeleend   Anatra dal bernoccolo

World: Africa S of 15°N, inc Madagascar. Asia from Pakistan through the Indian subcontinent to southern China.

Kenya: Except for Lake Turkana, where it is comparatively rare, it is found in relatively open country on all types of water (though it shows a preference for fresh water).

This is an easily identifiable bird which is not only very large but also has a very distinctive pattern of black spotting to its head and neck. The sexes are very similar except that the female (next page) lacks the fleshy comb which can be seen on the males above, females also lack the yellow wash to the head which adult males develop. They feed primarily on grass seeds, sedges, aquatic plants and grain (they are frequently found around rice plantations) but they also eat insects and other aquatic invertebrates.