Wildlifeof Nepal
African Comb Duck
Ducks, Geese & Grebes
Photo: (c) Renjith Jacob Mathews, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Sarkidiornis melanotos
Basic stats
Habitat
Tropical and sub-tropical wetlands and waterways
Range
Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, South Asia and mainland Indochina
Clutch size
7–15 yellowish-white eggs
Size
56–76cm
Wingspan
116–145cm
Weight
1.03–2.9kg
The knob-billed duck, or comb duck, is one of the largest ducks, 56 to 76cm long with a wingspan of 116 to 145cm and a weight of 1.03 to 2.9kg. Adults have a white head freckled with dark spots, a pure white neck and underparts, and glossy blue-black upperparts. It occurs along tropical and sub-tropical wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, most of South Asia and mainland Indochina (Wikipedia, general species account).
Females lay seven to fifteen yellowish-white eggs. Where the species belongs in the duck family is uncertain: it has been placed with the dabbling ducks, the perching ducks and the shelducks.
Quick answers
- What habitat does the African Comb Duck live in?
- Tropical and sub-tropical wetlands and waterways
- Where is the African Comb Duck found?
- Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, South Asia and mainland Indochina
- How many eggs does the African Comb Duck lay?
- 7–15 yellowish-white eggs
- How big is the African Comb Duck?
- 56–76cm
- What is the wingspan of the African Comb Duck?
- 116–145cm
- How much does the African Comb Duck weigh?
- 1.03–2.9kg