Fulvous Whistling Duck
Prelims:
Environment
& Ecology
Mains:
GS Paper III:
Environment – Biodiversity and conservation
Current relevance:
A
flock of more than 30 Fulvous Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna bicolor)
has been spotted at the Venjali wetlands at Cherumukku near Tirurangadi
in Malappuram district, Kerala.
Highlights:
1.
About Fulvous Whistling
Duck:
i.
The
Fulvous Whistling Duck is more commonly found in the wetlands of Assam and
other northeastern States.
ii.
In
Kerala, the species had previously been reported from Kollam district.
iii.
The
latest observation represents its first reported sighting in Malappuram
district.
iv.
As
its common name indicates, it belongs to the group commonly known as whistling
ducks.
v.
It
is primarily a wetland-associated waterfowl species. wetland bird
surveys and wildlife-refuge waterfowl records reflects its close association
with freshwater and other wetland ecosystems.
vi.
The
species' arrival in Kerala around the beginning of the monsoon and its
usual return by October highlights the relationship between seasonal
movements of birds and wetland habitats.
vii.
Conservation
Status:
·
IUCN
Red List: Least Concern
(LC)
·
CITES: Fulvous Tree Duck has been listed under
Appendix III
2.
Significance of Venjali Wetlands:
i.
The
wetlands are referred to officially as the Cherumukk–Venjali Wetlands.
ii.
The
Kerala Government source describes Cherumukk–Venjali as an “ecologically
significant birding hotspot.”
iii.
Its
wetland habitat supports a considerable diversity of bird species.
iv.
The
site is used for organised waterbird surveys and biodiversity monitoring.
v.
The
wetlands were selected as a survey site for the Asian Waterbird Census 2025,
indicating their importance for systematic observation and documentation of
wetland birds.
Source:
THE HINDU - https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/rare-fulvous-whistling-duck-spotted-in-keralams-malappuram/article71420168.ece