GREATER
SCAUP DUCK - ENVIRONMENT
News: Rare species of duck sighted in Manipur’s Loktak lake after over 90 years
What's
in the news?
●
A rare species of duck, Greater Scaup,
locally known as Sadangman, was
recently sighted in Loktak lake in
Manipur’s Bishnupur district after a gap of over 90 years.
●
At present, several whistling ducks and
coots are also roosting in Loktak lake.
Greater
Scaup Duck:
●
The Greater Scaup is a medium-sized diving
duck species that belongs to the family of Anatidae.
Distribution:
●
The greater scaup species is distributed
in Asia, Europe, the United States and Canada.
●
It is a rare visitor to the Indian Subcontinent.
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The breeding scaup inhabits shallow,
freshwater lakes, pools and rivers with grassy shorelines.
●
The greater scaup species are highly
migratory, breeding near arctic regions and migrating to the warmer south from
August onwards.
Conservation
status:
●
IUCN Red List: Least concern.
Go
back to basics:
Loktak
lake:
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Loktak Lake is a freshwater lake in the Manipur state.
●
It is famous for unique floating islands
called Phumdis with multiple plant
species.
●
The Keibul Lamjao National Park located on
the Loktak Lake is the last natural habitat of the “Sangai”, the dancing deer of Manipur.
●
The lake is designated as a wetland of
international importance under the
Ramsar Convention.