By R.K. Birjit Singh

The most abundant water bird in Loktak (Photo: R.K. Birjit Singh)

The Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica, locally known as “Tingi” is the most abundant waterfowl species in Loktak wetland (IBA) also known as Indian Whistling Duck or Tree Duck. It is a resident, small whistling duck which breeds in South Asia and Southeast Asia. In other classification, it is also known as Lesser Whistling Teal. Although the species is resident bird, local migration can be seen due to flood and drought sitution of the habitat.  As per hard time census data made available by GENIM & MASS and IBCN(BNHS), the highest number of population of this species can be observed at Khordak and Nongmaikhong  area (NS – 24.43802⁰ ; EO – 93.85210⁰ )  and  Birahari pat –Ningthoukhong area (NS – 24.6033⁰ ; EO – 93.8255⁰⁾ of Loktak lake. Interestingly, local fisherman in and around the lake started domesticating this duck species. Read the rest of this entry »