Status and habitat of the White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata

Abstract

The endangered White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata was formerly widely recorded from north-east India, Bangladesh, Union of Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia (peninsular) and Indonesia (Java and Sumatra). It was found to be “common” by British ornithologists in areas of India, Myanmar and Thailand in the early part of this century. Since then, deforestation and hunting have caused a major decline to perhaps less than 5% of its original population size. Since 1980 the species has been reliably recorded from 55 sites in seven countries, with a minimum combined population of 336 individuals. A conservation plan has been produced and implementation has begun. © 1993, Birdlife International. All rights reserved.