The knob-billed duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos), also known as the comb duck, is one of the more unusual and striking waterfowl found in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia. It gets its name from the large, black, fleshy knob that appears on the top of the male’s bill, a feature that becomes especially prominent during the breeding season. This odd-looking growth gives the bird a prehistoric or almost comical appearance, setting it apart from most other ducks.
Females are smaller and lack the signature knob, making them easy to tell apart. Both sexes have striking plumage: the body is mostly white, often speckled with black, while the wings are a dark, glossy green or purplish black. In flight, they reveal large white patches on the wings, making them easy to identify from a distance.
Knob-billed ducks are usually found in wetlands, lakes, rivers, and flooded grasslands, often in regions with a mix of water and open savanna. They are strong fliers and seasonal wanderers, moving between water sources based on rainfall patterns. Their diet includes a variety of plant material, seeds, aquatic vegetation, and small invertebrates. They often feed by dabbling on the surface or grazing in shallow water and muddy areas.
One of the most interesting aspects of the knob-billed duck is its breeding behavior. Males are often polygynous, meaning they may mate with multiple females during a season. Males compete for females by displaying their size, bill knob, and flying ability. Females build nests in tree holes, riverbanks, or tall grass, and they care for the young alone. Ducklings are born well-developed and can swim and feed themselves shortly after hatching, though they stay close to the mother for protection.
Distribution
Angola
Bangladesh
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
China
Congo-Brazzaville
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
India
Japan
Kenya
Laos
Lesotho
Liberia
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Niger
Nigeria
Oman
Pakistan
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
São Tomé & Príncipe
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Uganda
Vietnam
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!
Suggest an editGet to know me
Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
