Madagascan pochard of numerous fish species in the lake that killed most of the pochard chicks and damaged nesting sites. Adult birds are also likely to have become victims of introduced fishes. Rice cultivation, cattle grazing on the shores, burning of shore vegetation, introduced mammals (rats), gill-net fishing and hunting are all factors that led to the duck's disappearance from the lake. The last record of multiple birds at Lake Alaotra is from 9 June 1960 when a small flock of about 20 birds was spotted on the lake. Despite the rarity of the species in 1960, a male was shot, and
Fitcher's Bird Fitcher's Bird "Fitcher's Bird" (German: "Fitchers Vogel") is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, tale number 46. It is Aarne-Thompson type 311, the heroine rescues herself and her sisters. Another tale of this type is "How the Devil Married Three Sisters". The Brothers Grimm noted its close similarity to the Norwegian "The Old Dame and Her Hen", also grouped in this tale type. The tale also features the motifs of the "Forbidden chamber" and a bloodied item that betrays the bride peeking in that chamber against strict orders, and as such bears resemblance to the "Bluebeard" type