The pink-headed duck, Rhodonessa caryophyllacea, remains one of the most enigmatic birds in recent history. This large diving duck was once known for its striking appearance, particularly its vibrant, rose-pink head and neck, which contrasted sharply with its dark body plumage. Its unusual coloration made it stand out amongst other duck species. For many years, it held a reputation as a rare and elusive creature.
Unique Appearance and Historical Habitat
The male pink-headed duck displayed a distinctive rose-pink head, neck, and bill, contrasting with its rich chocolate-brown body plumage. A brown stripe extended up the neck to the base of the lower bill, and its wings featured a reddish speculum with a white band along the edge. Females exhibited a paler pink coloration on their heads, while young birds often lacked the distinctive pink entirely, appearing almost white-headed.
This medium-sized duck possessed an elegant physique, characterized by a slender neck, a plump, oval-shaped body, a flat forehead, and a long bill. Its short legs were slate greyish-black, and it had webbed feet with spurs on the hindfoot. The pink coloration in its plumage was attributed to a carotenoid pigment, a rare trait among ducks.
Historically, the pink-headed duck inhabited parts of the Gangetic plains of India, Nepal, sections of Maharashtra, Bangladesh, and the riverine swamps of Myanmar. Its preferred dwelling places included dense, overgrown wetlands, marshes, and pools, often found in areas with tall grasses and reeds. This shy and secretive bird was believed to have always maintained a relatively small population size, even prior to its decline.
The Mystery of Its Disappearance
The pink-headed duck is widely considered extinct, with the last confirmed sighting occurring in 1949 in India. Some reports from India persisted until the early 1960s, though these are less certain. Its decline and presumed disappearance are primarily attributed to extensive habitat loss. Agricultural expansion, the drainage of wetlands for cultivation, and increasing human settlement severely impacted its natural environment.
Hunting pressure also contributed to its disappearance. During colonial times, the pink-headed duck was sought after by sport hunters and later as an ornamental bird due to its unique plumage. Despite legal protection in India since 1956, these measures may have been implemented too late to save the species. Numerous expeditions and scientific searches, including those by the Bombay Natural History Society and Global Wildlife Conservation, have failed to definitively prove its continued existence. However, unconfirmed sightings from remote wetland regions in northern Myanmar, some as recent as 2014, suggest the possibility of a small, isolated population persisting, leading to its current classification as “Critically Endangered” by the IUCN.