The Pink-headed duck (Rhodonessa caryophyllacea) is a rare diving duck that was once found in parts of eastern India, Bangladesh and northern Myanmar but feared extinct since the 1950s. Numerous searches have failed to provide any proof of continued existence. It has been suggested that it may exist in the inaccessible swamp regions of northern Myanmar and some sight reports from that region have led to its status being declared as "Critically Endangered" rather than extinct.
Both the male and the female of this species have long-billed with long necks and peaked heads. The male has a pink bill, head, and neck while the female has a pale pinkish head and neck with a paler bill. The black of the body extends as a narrow strip on the front of the neck. Wings have a leading white edge. The upper side of the wing has a pinkish-beige speculum, much lighter than its surroundings. The pink coloration is dull in females and young birds have a nearly whitish head without a trace of pink.
Pink-headed ducks occurred in parts of the Gangetic plains of India, parts of Maharashtra, Bangladesh, and in the riverine swamps of Myanmar. They were believed to have been non-migratory but some populations (possibly) undertook local seasonal movements, resulting in scattered historic records as far as Punjab, Maharahtra, and Andhra Pradesh. Thus, resulting in rare sightings of the species in Maharashtra. Pink-headed ducks were found in lowland marshes, swamps, lakes, and pools in tall-grass jungle.
Pink-headed ducks were found singly or in pairs and very rarely in small groups. It is suggested that they are nocturnal which also explains why it was difficult to observe them in the wild. When foraging Pink-headed ducks typically up-ended or dabbled for food. They had a mellow two-note call 'wugh-ah'.
Pink-headed ducks are believed to have eaten water plants and mollusks.
Pink-headed ducks started to breed in April. They built their nests amongst grass. The eggs, 6 or 7 in a clutch, are very spherical and creamy white. They measure 1.71-1.82 inches long and 1.61-1.7 inches wide and are incubated by both parents.
The reason for the disappearance of this species was probably habitat destruction. It is not known why it was always considered rare, but the rarity is believed to be genuine as its erstwhile habitat was frequently scoured by hunters in Colonial times. The Pink-headed duck was much sought after by hunters and later as an ornamental bird, mainly because of its unusual plumage. The last specimen was obtained in 1935 in Darbhanga, Andhra Pradesh, India by C. M. Inglis. Some birds were also kept in the aviaries of Jean Théodore Delacour in Clères (France) and Alfred Ezra at Foxwarren Park (England) where the last known birds lived in captivity.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Pink-headed duck total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List.
