The term 'Love Birds' applies perfectly to the Ruddy Shelducks also known as Brahminy ducks and Chakwa-Chakwi in India. These are migratory annual visitors to the wetlands and lakes of many parts of India including Assam. In Assam these birds can be seen from great proximity in the Dibru Saikhowa National park.
Named as Brahminy due to their Saffron colour that resembled Saffron robes of Brahmins or Holy men in ancient India, these birds are also revered as sacred by the Buddhists and known as 'Birds of Lama'.
Brahminy ducks are known for fidelity as pairs mate for life and it is said that if one dies, the other starves to death. So, in some cultures killing this bird is prohibited.
The Indian story goes that a sage was disturbed during his meditation by the playful noise of two lovers. The sage getting angry due to their 'sin' of indiscretion, curses the lovers to be reborn as lovelorn birds and condemns them to pass every night on opposite banks of a river unable to meet. The birds thus separated ceaselessly cries out of sorrow to each other 'Aaaooo...' Aaaooo...' meaning 'shall I come' in Hindi.
In reality, the beautiful Ruddy Shelducks have a very mournfull call and although distance apart, they always keep in touch by calling each other.
The above pics were clicked in Dibru Saikhowa National Park in Assam.
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