Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

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Hoogerwerf A. (1950) De Witvleugeleend, Cairina scutulata, van de Grote Soenda eilanden. ARDEA 38 (1-2): 64-69
This is a report on the White-winged Wood Duck, Cairina (Asarcornis) scutulata, from the Greater Sunda Islands. Strong evidence is given that these birds are distinct from their continental representatives by showing a conspicuous amount of albinism on breast, abdomen, mantle, back, and even wing-feathers (outer primaries). The author refers to 6 partly white specimens figured in the journal 'De Nederlandsch Indische Jager' during ,the years 1938-1941 and originating from Java (1), S. Sumatra (4) , and E. Sumatra (1) . Other specimens mentioned are a conspicuously white one from the Lampongs, S. Sumatra (Vorderman 1892) and a Sumatran bird of apparently 'continental' plumage (Buitenzorg Museum). The description of the type specimen of Anas scutulata S. Muller (1842) from Java also points to a bird with more white in its plumage than is known from birds from continental Asia. Domestication is excluded as a possible cause of this albinism, since the White-winged Wood Duck lives in not easily accessible and thinly-peopled jungle-countries; moreover nothing is known of this species being kept in captivity on any important scale in Indonesia. Further evidence in favour of the distinctness of the Sunda Islands populations of this duck are the relatively small weights of a large number of ?? killed by Pieters in S. Sumatra (2.5-2.5 kg). According to Stuart Baker (1908) continental birds weighed much more, viz., 3.4-4.3 kg, but usually not more than 3.9 kg. The examination of the stomachs of many White-winged Wood Ducks from S. Sumatra revealed the fact that these birds are exclusively vegetarious (Pieters in litt.). This is in contrast to the records regarding continental birds, which are mainly omnivorous with a preference for animal food and proved to be able to catch living fish with great dexterity (Stuart Baker 1908). The notes on the habitat of the species in S. Sumatra agree with those relative to continental birds, being quiet forest streams and inland marshes. The bird is not rare in the interior of S. Sumatra, but is very rare in Java. It breeds in trees on heavy branches near the main stem; sometimes in natural cavities. The eggs are dirty greyish white or buffish, measuring (S. Sumatra) (64-66) (45-48) mm and (Java) 63.0 44.2 and 61.8 44.7 mm. Nests with clutches of 6 and 9 fresh eggs have been stated, but natives reported clutches of more than 10 eggs.


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