White-winged Duck
CR

White-winged Duck

Asarcornis scutulata

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-winged_duck

Overview

The white-winged duck or white-winged wood duck is a large species of duck, formerly placed in the genus Cairina with the Muscovy duck and considered allied to the dabbling ducks. However, two genetic studies have indicated that the anatomical similarity to the Muscovy duck is deceiving, with the species appropriately placed in a monotypic genus, as Asarcornis scutulata; it proved evolutionarily closest to a clade containing the diving duck genera Netta and Aythya, while Cairina resolved as close to the genus Aix in a very different part of the family tree.

The White-winged Duck faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive wetland habitat destruction across Southeast Asia, with over 80% of suitable lowland wetlands lost to agricultural conversion and urban development. Hunting pressure remains intense throughout its range, as the species is highly valued for food and traditional medicine. Dam construction and water diversion projects have fragmented remaining wetland systems, while pollution from agricultural runoff degrades water quality in critical breeding areas.

Threat summary

Habitat

White-winged Ducks inhabit dense tropical wetlands including swamp forests, oxbow lakes, and slow-moving rivers with extensive vegetation cover. They prefer secluded freshwater systems surrounded by primary or secondary forest, typically in lowland areas below 200 meters elevation.

Wetlands (inland) - Bogs, marshes, swamps, fens· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies managementSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationAwareness & communicationsLegislationCompliance and enforcementLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

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Frequently asked questions

Why is White-winged Duck classified as Critically Endangered?
White-winged Duck is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The White-winged Duck faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive wetland habitat destruction across Southeast Asia, with over 80% of suitable lowland wetlands lost to agricultural conversion and urban development. Hunting pressure remains intense throughout its range, as the species is highly valued for food and traditional medicine. Dam construction and water diversion projects have fragmented remaining wetland systems, while pollution from agricultural runoff degrades water quality in critical breeding areas.
Where does White-winged Duck live?
White-winged Duck occurs in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, and Germany (plus 12 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to White-winged Duck?
The main threats to White-winged Duck are 11.1, 12.1, 3.1, and 3.2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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