TODAY -

The Waterfowl species of Loktak Ramsar in Manipur (IBA)
- Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferriguinea), (Nganuthangong) -

By:- R.K. Birjit Singh *



As a part and program of the presently undergoing study and research on water bird species of Loktak Lake and its associated wetlands of Manipur under the aegis of Wild Life Wing, Forest Department, Govt. of Manipur, a team consisting of Dr. Kh. Shammungou Singh, R.K Birjit Singh ( author of this article),K. Jugeshor Singh with N.Sharat and Kh. Hilter, both rangers of Forest and Wild Life Department supported by professional cinematographers Kh. Brajeshkumar and Kh. Inaomacha with field assistant L. Gopen Singh visited Tangjeng on the 24th of January,2010. Tangjeng is the marginal habitat of the wintering Ruddy Shelduck locally known as "Nganuthangong" .


Nganuthangong
Photo: R.K. Birjit Singh



The selection of Tangjeng village for our study after Phubala was due presence of Shelduck species as no other part of Loktak lake has such a good population of the species in the present condition as in this small part of the dying wetland of Tangjeng.

The village of Tangjeng in the district of Thoubal bordering with Bishnupur district is some 70 kilometers far away from Imphal, the capital city of Manipur. It is located at NS 24019, 198' and EO 93051, 546' longitude with an elevation of 757 meters above sea level (MSL). Since the members of our team belong to different parts of Imphal and Bishnupur district, we gathered at Ningthoukhong at around 3.45.am in the early morning of the 24th, January of 2010 and set out for Tangjeng.

On the way, we pick up H. Pravash and K. Jugeshor Singh from Phubala and Moirang respectively. Our journey for Tangjeng was a bit delayed while trying to refuel our vehicles at Moirang. After a bumpy, dusty and tormenting ride, we arrived at Tangjeng at around 7.45 am. Basically, the wetland of Tangjeng spreads over more than 1 square kilometers of area before some decades but presently it has been compartmentalized to a number of segments for cultivation and fishery. The part of the present wetland has been squeezed to a mere marshy and muddy pond with the vegetations of L.claveliana ,Plantago alimsa,Ehinocloa stegnina, Cynodon dactylon,Ipomea aquatica, Eichhornia crassipes, polygonum plebejum, Saggitara sagittifolia , Oryza rufipogon with the phytoplankton species of Volvox, Anabaena and Ulothrix species etc.

A big grazing and football ground can be seen near the peaty water body. A moment later, we have seen pond heron, a few median egrets and jacana species. Some of the domestic buffalos are creeping and wallowing in the muddy water with no sign of dugs.

Kh. Brajeshkumar, cinematographer of our team asked me, "Sanakhya! Where are those dugs? (Nganuthangong). I told Brajesh to wait for a moment and to camouflage enough his instruments as the dugs can be arrived in any moment. Sharing the talk, K. Jugeshor Singh, Principal, Kumbi College said, Look Brajesh! "These species of Shelduck are very punctual and regular unlike us and never fail to reach Tangjeng in this part of the month and if they are not arriving today, I am ready to offer a grand feast with the taste of a local cock for our team".

Why is Ojha Jugeshor ready to throw away such a party? Because, he was hundred percent sure of the arrival of the birds in this part of Tangjeng and knew that there would be no need for such a party. Within no time a good number of, maneuvering Shelduck with quick flap of the wings and noisy chirps had their majestic perch at Tangjeng carrying winter in their back.

Classification Name
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Phylum: Animalia
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Tadorna
Species: T. ferruginea
Binomial name: Tadorna ferruginea Pallas


It was indeed, so amazing to see the graceful flight of these migratory birds soaring into the sky and trying to land in their natural runway.

Ruddy Shelduck is a large orange-brown duck as that of domestic dug with paler head and neck, sometimes a faint black collar at its back. Wings white and glistening green with black tail. Male and female are familiar but the female is lacking the black collar and with much paler head.

The species can be seen always in partners not alone or solitary at wetlands, ponds and rivers. Legendary folk tale around the world and the poets irrespective of religion, caste and culture used to portray the picture of the cordial and inseparable relationship of Ruddy Shelduck in their romantic poem and rhymes.

The saying in the legendary folk tale of Meitei about this bird was that once there was an adoring couple in a remote village. One day, the husband set out for cutting firewood in a forest nearby the village. He was feeling very hungry and thirsty after cutting the woods. Unknowingly, he had eaten the tasty fruit of a wild creeping plant of Entada species belonging to the family of Fabaceae (Tinshi kangkhil) used as insecticide by the people of the time and drank the spring water (said to contain poison) in order to quench his hunger and thirst.

After some moment, he was death due to the toxic effect of the fruit and water and his lifeless body was lying nearby the spring water. The wife was worried about her husband as he did not return home. During night, the soul of the death husband came in the dream of the wife and told her about his death. Next day, when she found the death body her husband nearby the spring, the death body was already converted into a male Shelduck. Unable to bear pain of separation, the wife was fallen unconsciously and died at the spot and her body was also converted into a female Shelduck. Thus the soul of the two couple was reunited, flapping their wings and soaring together into the sky for ever more to come.

With this emotional legendary romantic folktale, the people of Tangjeng are still protecting and conserving this beautiful duck at this remote part of Manipur.

Distribution:

The species is widely distributed throughout the Indian-subcontinent, (but rare in extreme south Indian regions), Bangladesh, Pakistan and Myanmar. In Manipur they can be rarely seen in few pockets of Loktak Lake and at Tangjeng. They are winter visiting migratory birds.

Habits:

They can be seen in sandbanks, mud spits than actually on water and in fresh water wetlands. Walks well and with ease and grazes like a goose. They are wariest and most vigilant dugs. It avoids tall or dense herbage, and emergent or aquatic floating plants. In Loktak they can be hardly seen in groups but in pair of one or two in few selected areas. But this species is very rare in Loktak now- a- days.

Foods:

It is omnivorous in habit. It feeds on grains, tender shoots and tubers and other vegetable plants matter, crustaceans, aquatic insects, fishes and molluscs. They are said to eat carrion in company with vultures. It is a gregarious feeder in flocks or family group.

Call of the bird:

A nasal "Aang-Aang", rather like a Bar-headed Goose's honking in the distance, and also reminiscent of the cries of black Ibis.

Nesting and breeding season:

In India the species breeds at Ladakh. The species wintering in Loktak and Tangjeng are believed to have migrated from Transbaikalia and south-west China through Yunnan province and reaching at Chakpi River, Loktak and other associated wetlands of Manipur. But this thought can only be proved through radio ringing.

This is a bird of open country, and it will breed on cliffs, in burrows, tree holes or crevices distant from water, laying 6-10 creamy-white eggs, incubated for 30 days. The Ruddy Shelduck is usually found in pairs or small groups and rarely forms large flocks. However, moulting and winter-gatherings on chosen lakes or slow rivers can be very large.


Nganuthangong
Photo: R.K. Birjit Singh



Global status of conservation and local concerns:

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has given the status of Least Concern of the species but the trend of declination of the species continues in an unprecedented way as never before globally. The depletion of the population of this water bird is more alarming in Loktak than in any other parts of the Indian sub-continent.

The major threat to these species in Loktak Ramsar is indiscriminate poaching by the local fisherman's and changing ecology of the wetland through anthropogenic activities. If this trend and activities of indiscriminate poaching and hunting of these wild birds and disturbing its habitat continues uncheck, then the day will not be too far for us to meet "The Last Species of Tadorna ferriguinea in Loktak" following the steps of Pink-headed Duck (Rhodonessa caryophyllaceae).


* R.K. Birjit Singh contributes to e-pao.net regularly . The author is a science communicator, member of the investigating team of the ongoing "Loktak Bird Study and Research" under the Wild Life Wing, Department of Forest, Govt. of Manipur . The writer can be contacted at bsningthemcha(at)gmail(dot)com
This article was webcasted at e-pao.net on 09th April 2010.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Lamtanganba, Adum , Mahaiso : eMing
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • The Weeping Gods of Manipur :: Poem
  • Disarming Kuki-Zo armed groups under SoO
  • Why nurses deserve more recognition, pay
  • The hidden truths of our social media lives
  • MMTU stand bang on target: Recapping May 3
  • Enhancing aerial options to ease travel woes
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Sustainable development - climate action #1
  • RIST Talk- 62 : Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • "Technically a BJP MLA will rule Nagaland"
  • Makar Sankranti : vibrant customs & traditions
  • Why gold is a strong hedge but ...
  • Delhi date on January 17
  • Onus of addressing tribal issues on new Guv?
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • Barak Festival advocates Peace, Progress
  • 'Yu', not fully liberalised
  • Article 355 equals Governor's Rule ?
  • Calls to vote with conscience
  • Zingtun academy leading by example
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Is Kuki-Zo community pushing Nagas to edge?
  • Will drive to find-treat-prevent TB continue ?
  • Smart Cities, dustier roads ?
  • ST of NE & Dalits of mainland India
  • That May :: Poem
  • Understanding Red, Yellow, Green
  • Cong posers on Govt aid to SoO group
  • Culturals @Tri-Nation Football #1 : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai festival of Kabui/Rongmei
  • 40 Years & 04 Stations- Part IV (Madras)
  • Manipur Gold: 34th Sr Natl Sepaktakraw C'ship
  • Public Health Risk Management Training
  • The Power of Poppy - 64 :: Poem
  • The Science of Success #4
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • A Hymn for Goddess Emoinu
  • Are the foods we eat, correct ?
  • Gangtok, Sikkim (1983 till 1988) : Gallery
  • The Taste of Dreams : Teaser Unveiled
  • Be a child of courage & conquer obstacle
  • Hans Renal Care Centre in Guwahati
  • Focus on pre-May 3, 2023 period
  • Conundrum over the genesis of crisis
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • North-East Students invited to JEE Main 2025
  • Empower the State else avoid blame on CM
  • Obituary : Thaunawjam Brajamohon
  • Hope :: Poem
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #3
  • Winter makeup tips for dry skin
  • Imphal, Delhi still groping in the dark
  • Tension over assault case, land claims
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #1 : Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • Indigenous Pottery Making @Imphal : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • "Connections", art exhibitt @ DC : Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Mera Chaorel Houba #4 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Indigenous People Cultural Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #1: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet