(Video link. References updated) |
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The '''male''' in breeding plumage has a prominent, white supercilium. The body is heavily spotted at front and rear with pale flanks and long striped scapulars. The eclipse male resembles the female.<br /> | The '''male''' in breeding plumage has a prominent, white supercilium. The body is heavily spotted at front and rear with pale flanks and long striped scapulars. The eclipse male resembles the female.<br /> | ||
'''Females''' are harder to identify, being greyish overall with broadly pale-edged dark flanks. The broad pale supercilium over a bold dark eye stripe is a good id feature.<br /> | '''Females''' are harder to identify, being greyish overall with broadly pale-edged dark flanks. The broad pale supercilium over a bold dark eye stripe is a good id feature.<br /> | ||
− | + | [[Image:Garganey Female filtered-co.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Female<br />Photo by {{user|Terry+Cavner|Terry Cavner}}<br />[[Gosforth Park Nature Reserve]], [[Northumberland]], March 2011]] | |
The speculum is green with white lines along the front and rear edges. The underwing pattern is prominent black and white. | The speculum is green with white lines along the front and rear edges. The underwing pattern is prominent black and white. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
− | |||
Breeding species in much of [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. The European population is most numerous in the east. Most if not all of the European birds are found in places like the Volga Delta in the fall and they winter in western [[Africa]] (e.g., the Niger Delta), with possible occurrence in southern [[Sudan]]. | Breeding species in much of [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. The European population is most numerous in the east. Most if not all of the European birds are found in places like the Volga Delta in the fall and they winter in western [[Africa]] (e.g., the Niger Delta), with possible occurrence in southern [[Sudan]]. | ||
The Asian birds winter in [[India]], Indochina ([[Burma]], [[Laos]], [[Thailand]]) and southern [[China]]. | The Asian birds winter in [[India]], Indochina ([[Burma]], [[Laos]], [[Thailand]]) and southern [[China]]. | ||
− | + | [[Image:Gargany 8298 .jpg|thumb|350px|right|Eclipse plumage<br />Photo by {{user|mali|mali}}<br />[[Cley]], [[Norfolk]], 2015]] | |
'''Vagrants''' have occured in [[Azores]], [[Iceland]], [[Hawaii]], Aleutian Islands and even at the west coast of North America.<br /> The Garganey is quite nomadic in the winter areas, but even so, changes to the area as result of changes in resource utilization and global warming are expected to be the major cause of concern for the European populations of this species, which has shown moderate to strong negative trends during the period of 1970-2000. | '''Vagrants''' have occured in [[Azores]], [[Iceland]], [[Hawaii]], Aleutian Islands and even at the west coast of North America.<br /> The Garganey is quite nomadic in the winter areas, but even so, changes to the area as result of changes in resource utilization and global warming are expected to be the major cause of concern for the European populations of this species, which has shown moderate to strong negative trends during the period of 1970-2000. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
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This is a [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>, which is sometimes placed in its own genus ''Querquedula''. | This is a [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>, which is sometimes placed in its own genus ''Querquedula''. | ||
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A shy and wary duck which is often found in pairs or small groups in summer, in winter in big concentrations (eg 77,000 in Senegal). <br /> | A shy and wary duck which is often found in pairs or small groups in summer, in winter in big concentrations (eg 77,000 in Senegal). <br /> | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
+ | [[Image:IMG 13074.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|targetman|targetman}}<br />[[Lincolnshire]], May 2012]] | ||
Starts breeding after arrival in breeding area in April and May. The nest is usually near water on ground, lined with down and feathers. Lays 8-9 eggs. <br /> | Starts breeding after arrival in breeding area in April and May. The nest is usually near water on ground, lined with down and feathers. Lays 8-9 eggs. <br /> | ||
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
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''[[Media:Anas querquedula (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ''[[Media:Anas querquedula (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
− | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug15}} |
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== |
Revision as of 16:46, 1 September 2015
- Anas querquedula
Identification
Garganeys are quite small ducks (37 - 41cm).
The male in breeding plumage has a prominent, white supercilium. The body is heavily spotted at front and rear with pale flanks and long striped scapulars. The eclipse male resembles the female.
Females are harder to identify, being greyish overall with broadly pale-edged dark flanks. The broad pale supercilium over a bold dark eye stripe is a good id feature.
The speculum is green with white lines along the front and rear edges. The underwing pattern is prominent black and white.
Distribution
Breeding species in much of Europe and Asia. The European population is most numerous in the east. Most if not all of the European birds are found in places like the Volga Delta in the fall and they winter in western Africa (e.g., the Niger Delta), with possible occurrence in southern Sudan.
The Asian birds winter in India, Indochina (Burma, Laos, Thailand) and southern China.
Vagrants have occured in Azores, Iceland, Hawaii, Aleutian Islands and even at the west coast of North America.
The Garganey is quite nomadic in the winter areas, but even so, changes to the area as result of changes in resource utilization and global warming are expected to be the major cause of concern for the European populations of this species, which has shown moderate to strong negative trends during the period of 1970-2000.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1], which is sometimes placed in its own genus Querquedula.
Habitat
Breeds inland, preferably on wet meadows, shallow freshwater marshes, small lakes and ponds. In winter in coastal marshes and lagoons, sometimes even at sea.
Behaviour
A shy and wary duck which is often found in pairs or small groups in summer, in winter in big concentrations (eg 77,000 in Senegal).
Breeding
Starts breeding after arrival in breeding area in April and May. The nest is usually near water on ground, lined with down and feathers. Lays 8-9 eggs.
Diet
Feeds on aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, seeds, fish and aquatic plants. Like other Anas Ducks, Garganeys feed dabbling, head-dipping and also picking from surface.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Anas querquedula (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Garganey. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 6 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Garganey
External Links