State Bird: Deo haah (White-winged Wood Duck) The White-winged Duck or White winged Wood Duck (Asarcornis scutulata) is one of the largest species of duck. It has an overall black body, a white head with black spots. It also has white patches on the wings for which it has been named as White-Winged Wood Duck
in English. Due to its ghostly call which is a series of harsh honks and whistle, it is called ‘Deo Haah’ or Spirit Duck in Assamese. It is active mainly at dusk and dawn. It feeds on seeds, vegetation, fish and other animal matter, as well as on aquatic snails, spiders and insects. This Duck makes nest in tree holes. The female lays up to 16 eggs. It was historically widely distributed from northeastern India and Bangladesh, through South-East. But recently, it has undergone a dramatic decline due to destruction, degradation and disturbance of riverine habitats. It has been considered as Endangered on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species. In 2002, the population of this species was estimated to be only 800. Among these, Assam is home to about 450 individuals. In Assam, the key protected areas for the White- winged Duck are Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Dihing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary and Nameri National Park. The Assam Government adopted White-winged Duck as State Bird on 4th April, 2003.