Ruddyshel Ducks : The story of the Brahminy Ducks or Chakwa Chakwi in India
Ruddyshel Ducks The story of the Brahminy Ducks or Chakwa Chakwi in India 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 fo r 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