Identification:
Size:
- Body length: 33 – 38 cm.
Appearance:
- Males: Head, neck, and upper breast are white, with a black cap. The back and wings are teal. The under-tail coverts are pale black. A white stripe is visible under the wings during flight.
- Females: Generally have a pale brown plumage, with a narrow black stripe across the eyes (see illustration).
Biology and Ecology:
- Behavior: Resident species, found up to an altitude of 800m (79), may move but only within their distribution range (e.g., in Central and South Vietnam; or in winter, found in Singapore).
- Habitat: Wetlands, lakes, and other freshwater areas. At Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai), they have been observed living in small flocks along streams flowing through sparse forests of Dipterocarpaceae and Poaceae species, often perching on large, leafless trees (62). In Dam Doi Nature Reserve (Ca Mau), 3-4 individuals were encountered after the large forest area was nearly destroyed; at Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary, only a pair was observed in a pond in the center of the garden (88).
- Reproduction: Breeding season is between June and August. Nests are built in tree hollows or outside, at a height of 2 – 21m above ground. They lay 8-14 eggs, with dimensions of 43.1 x 32.9 mm (79).
Distribution:
- Vietnam: From North to South (except Northwest and North Central regions): Ca Mau, Dong Thap, Bac Lieu, An Giang, Dong Nai, and Dak Lak.
- Global: From India to South China and Northwest Indonesia.
Value:
- A valuable gene source that is rapidly declining.
- An object of interest for ecotourism and recreation.
Conservation Status:
- Numbers are rapidly decreasing in Vietnam. Previously common in many areas, they are now rare, as described above. It requires protection and conservation education within local communities.
Ranking:
- EN C2aD (Endangered)
Conservation Measures:
- The species is resident and nests locally, making it highly vulnerable to hunting.
- They are also threatened by habitat loss due to forest exploitation, forest fires, and damage from large storms (evident in Dam Doi Bird Sanctuary, Ca Mau province). Suitable nesting and foraging areas are being disturbed and reduced. Currently, they are only protected in some nature reserves. It is hoped that the remaining populations will recover quickly, such as in Cat Tien National Park, Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary, Bac Lieu province, and Dam Doi Bird Sanctuary, along with the Ca Mau Forest Protection Department’s plans to restore the entire forest area here.