(Nikon D500, 200-500mm lens; 1/640, f/6.3, ISO220; hand-held; @Gajoldoba, north Bengal, 24/02/23)
(Nikon D500, 200-500mm lens; 1/640, f/6.3, ISO220; hand-held; @Gajoldoba, north Bengal, 24/02/23)
(Nikon D500, 200-500mm lens; 1/3200, f/6.3, ISO640; hand-held; @Gajoldoba, north Bengal, 24/02/23)
(Nikon D500, 200-500mm lens; 1/800, f/6.3, ISO900; hand-held; @Gajoldoba, north Bengal, 24/02/23)
Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina): We saw a large flock of these diving ducks at the Teesta Barrage reservoir and they seemed quite tolerant of human presence and didn’t mind getting reasonably close to the boats. The breeding males were quite remarkable with large rounded, rusty-orange heads, long pinkish-red bills, and black breasts. Females were dull brown with darker backs and crowns and pale cheeks. These ducks are winter visitors from Central Asia and parts of Europe. They are herbivores and feed on aquatic plants and algae by diving or dabbling.
Beautiful