Species Page Archives - British Waterfowl Association

Common Pochard

Morag Jones — Sun, 16 May 2021 18:42:06 +0000

Species Page

Unaggressive and easy to keep in a mixed-species flock in captivity, their main requirement is for clean and reasonably deep water.

Aythya ferina

With its distinctive bright chestnut head, contrasting with grey back and body and black breast, a Common Pochard drake is a handsome duck. It is one of the most familiar of wildfowl in the British Isles, with as many as 59,500 wintering here. Most of these are birds from north-east Europe or Russia, our breeding population is estimated at around 500 pairs.

Pochard are classic diving ducks, with a stocky build, short neck and legs set well back on the body. They find nearly all their food by diving, and unlike Tufted Ducks Aythya fuligula, they are predominately vegetarian. Highly sociable birds, they are invariably found in flocks outside the breeding season, and these can number many thousands. The drakes tend to be hardier than the ducks, with the latter migrating farther south for the winter, so wintering flocks in the UK are typically dominated by drakes.

Where both sexes share a site, the females can hold their own and do not lose out on feeding opportunities. Across Britain as a whole, the wintering population is about 70% males and 30% females, a more imbalanced sex ratio than any other wintering duck, but it varies with latitude from about 8:1 in the north of Scotland to 3:2 in southern England (Migration Atlas).

Ring Size

11mm

This size is only a guide. Please read more about ringing here.

The Common Pochard lays her clutch of around eight green-grey eggs late in the spring. Incubation takes 25 days, and the young can become independent as soon as three weeks after hatching.

FURTHER READING

Fox, A.D. (2019)BOU blog. Climate change and shifting waterbird distributions.

Fox, A. D., Cristensen, T.K. (2018) Ibis Volume 160, Issue 4 p. 929-935 Could falling female sex ratios among first-winter northwest European duck populations contribute to skewed adult sex ratios and overall population declines?

Fox, A. D. et al. (2016) Wildfowl 66, WWT. Recent changes in the abundance of Common Pochard Aythya ferina breeding in Europe.

Harteman Wildfowl Aviaries Common Pochard

Pöysä, H., Linkola, P. & Paasivaara, A. (2019) Journal of Ornithology 160, 1015–1023. Breeding sex ratios in two declining diving duck species: between-year variation and changes over six decades.

The post Common Pochard appeared first on British Waterfowl Association.

Ferruginous Duck

Morag Jones — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 07:04:38 +0000

Species Page

Aythya nyroca

The dainty Ferruginous Duck is essentially a dark burnished brown or reddish-brown diving duck with white undertail coverts. The duck is slightly duller and lacks the drake’s pale eye.

Wild populations do fluctuate with water levels from year to year. Despite a wide range over Europe and Asia, there have been rapid declines in Europe, but evidence of declines in the larger Asian populations is sparse and sometimes contradictory. The species is currently listed as Near Threatened as it is suspected to be undergoing a moderately rapid overall decline.

The main human threats to the Ferruginous Duck are the alteration of wetlands, reed destruction, illegal hunting, and aquatic pollution. Changes to aquatic vegetation/habitat in some areas has come from the introduction of non-native species; particularly Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella, leaving the ducks without natural forage.

These are shy birds of lakes and marshes, usually with surrounding reeds. They often stay hidden in emergent vegetation, but at other times can be seen out on open water. They appear to enjoy the sparse company of their congeners, such as Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula and Common Pochard Aythya ferina. However, in aviculture, there is a risk of hybridisation.

Ring Size

10mm

This size is only a guide. Please read more about ringing here.

Most popular in European collections, Ferruginous Ducks will make a hollow nest of down and vegetation close to the water, often among emergent vegetation. 7-10 pale buff eggs are incubated by the female alone for 25-27 days.

This species will interbreed readily with several of the other diving ducks, so it is wise to keep the Aythya ducks apart.

FURTHER READING

BirdLife International (2021) Species factsheet: Aythya nyroca. http://www.birdlife.org

Mitchell, D. 2019. BirdGuides Ferruginous Duck photo ID guide

Robinson, J A & Hughes, B. 2006 CMS/AEWA International Single Species Action Plan for the Conservation of the Ferruginous Duck

The post Ferruginous Duck appeared first on British Waterfowl Association.

Baer’s Pochard

Morag Jones — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 19:30:12 +0000

Species Page

Aythya baeri

Critically endangered, and one of the rarest ducks in the world, Baer’s Pochard is something of a mystery. Though once widely distributed in its native China, with wintering birds occurring as far south as northern India and Thailand, no one can explain why this duck has become so rare. Loss of both breeding and wintering sites is certainly a major factor. The population crash is recent: once regarded as common, it was listed as threatened in 1988, upgraded to vulnerable in 1994, endangered in 2008, and critically endangered in 2012. The total wild population may now be fewer than 300 birds.

Looking rather like a darker and bigger version of a Ferruginous Duck, they share the same distinctive white eye. They are named after Dr Karl Ernst von Baer, an Estonian naturalist and explorer.

The (American) Association of Zoos and Aquariums is running a conservation-focused breeding programme, managed by staff at the Minnesota Zoo. A Species Action Plan was established by WWT in 2015: the Trust’s wildfowl collections hold good numbers of these pochard. The Trust is managing a breeding pool of Baer’s Pochard in case they need to be reintroduced from captivity back to their native habitat.

Ring Size

11mm

This size is only a guide. Please read more about ringing here.

Because of their relatively dull plumage and quiet habits, these diving ducks have never been popular in captivity. However, captive breeding may well be essential for the survival of the Baer’s Pochard. The clutch size is 6-9 creamy eggs, with incubation taking 27 days.

FURTHER READING

Hearn, R., Tao, X. and Hilton, G. 2013. A species in serious trouble: Baer’s Pochard Aythya baeri is heading for extinction in the wild. BirdingASIA. 19: 63–67.

Hearn, R. 2015. The troubled Baer’s Pochard. Aythya baeri: cause for a little optimism. Birding Asia 24: 78–83.

Liu, D., Zhou, Y., Fei, Y. et al. Mitochondrial genome of the critically endangered Baer’s Pochard, Aythya baeri, and its phylogenetic relationship with other Anatidae species. Sci Rep 11, 24302 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03868-7

WWT, 2021. Baer’s Pochard conservation

The post Baer’s Pochard appeared first on British Waterfowl Association.

Ashy-headed Goose

Morag Jones — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 09:22:34 +0000

Species Page

Chloephaga poliocephala

The attractive Ashy-headed Goose, a small sheldgoose, is confined to Chile and southern Argentina. It is a partial migrant, with birds moving north during the austral winter. It is a rare visitor to the Falkland Islands, where it has bred. In summer it favours swampy ground, often in wooded landscapes, but in winter it moves to open grasslands, where pairs and families may join together to create small flocks. It swims rarely, except when accompanying its young or during the annual moult.

Unlike the closely related Kelp Goose and Upland Goose, both sexes have similar plumage. These geese have a long history of persecution, for they are regarded as competitors with sheep for grass, and they will also graze fields of winter wheat. Though classified as a species of least concern, little is known about the size of the overall population.

Ring Size

16mm

This size is only a guide. Please read more about ringing here.

Ashy-headed Geese form long-term pair bonds. The clutch of the 5-7 eggs is usually well hidden in tussock grass or even in trees; incubation is by the female alone and takes 30 days. These geese have long been popular in collections.

The post Ashy-headed Goose appeared first on British Waterfowl Association.

Eurasian Teal

Morag Jones — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 09:55:02 +0000

Species Page

Shy, and sometimes reluctant to breed in captivity, Eurasian Teal are charming, if nervous, little ducks. Their soft ‘krick’ call is instantly recognisable and carries for a surprising distance.

Anas crecca

The Eurasian Teal is the smallest of British waterfowl. A common, quick and agile surface-feeding duck; springing into flight at the least disturbance. In the wild it often forms large flocks outside the breeding season. It is usually found in sheltered wetlands, feeding on seeds and aquatic invertebrates.

The drake’s bright chestnut head and wide metallic dark green stripe running from in front of the eye to the neck give him a very dapper appearance. Close-to, his flanks are finely vermiculated. The female is streaky brown like many of the dabbling ducks. Both sexes have a green metallic speculum with a white edge. The name ‘teal’ as a shade of dark greenish-blue like the colour patterns on the drake’s head and both sexes’ wings is attested from 1923.

Breeding in north and east Europe, on freshwater marshes, wet heaths and high moorland pools, Teal move south and west to overwinter.

Although superficially similar, Eurasian Teal is now considered a distinct species to the Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis. DNA studies in the late 1990s revealed the approximate division between the two is at the Bering Sea.

Ring Size

7mm

This size is only a guide. Please read more about ringing here.

Eurasian Teal lay a clutch of 8-11 cream or pale olive-buff eggs. The duck makes a small hollow and adds plant material pulled in from around the nest as the clutch progresses. She plucks down to cover the eggs as the last ones are laid. Incubation is relatively short, at 20-23 days.

In the breeding season, the drake defends his mate from copulation attempts by other males, but deserts the female once incubation starts.

If Green-winged Teal are also kept, they should be kept in separate enclosures, as they will readily interbreed.

FURTHER READING

Focus on Green-winged Teal identification in the field (UK), BirdGuides.

The post Eurasian Teal appeared first on British Waterfowl Association.

Green-winged Teal

Morag Jones — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 16:35:38 +0000

Species Page

Anas carolinensis

As many waterfowl disperse over great distances, it is not surprising that we sometimes see vagrants; so the Green-winged Teal does turn up occasionally in the United Kingdom. The vertical white line on the flanks of the drake makes it stand out from the Eurasian Teal Anas crecca, which have a more uniform breast.

Adult birds have a dark grey bill, but in their first year there is more yellow/orange present on the sides. Ducks often have darker spots on the bill, which get larger with age.

The potential for hybridisation with their European cousins is high, so the two species should be kept separately. Uncovered aviaries are a potential for visiting hybridisers, particularly for collections that are close to freshwater marshes, wet moors and heaths. Caution is advised when sourcing stock.

Some report that the Green-winged Teal breed more readily than Eurasian. For many years both were considered tricky to breed.

Although superficially similar, the Eurasian Teal is a distinct species. DNA studies in the late 1990s revealed the approximate division between the two is at the Bering Sea. Closely related, but quite different in appearance, is the Yellow-billed Teal Anas flavirostris of South America. The same DNA studies showed that they are descended from the Green-winged Teal.

Ring Size

7mm

This size is only a guide. Please read more about ringing here.

Green-winged Teal lay a clutch of 6-9 cream or pale olive-buff eggs. The duck makes a scrape and adds plant material pulled in from around the nest as the clutch progresses. She plucks down to cover the eggs as the last ones are laid. Incubation is relatively short, at 20-23 days.

In the breeding season, the drake defends his mate from copulation attempts by other males, but deserts the female once incubation starts.

FURTHER READING

Focus on Green-winged Teal identification in the field (UK), BirdGuides.

The post Green-winged Teal appeared first on British Waterfowl Association.

Flying Steamerduck

Morag Jones — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 14:50:18 +0000

Species Page

Flying Steamerducks have only been in aviculture for a few decades. Wild collected eggs formed the nucleus in Chile in the late 1980s. From there, pairs were distributed to other South American collections, and in 1995, four breeding pairs were sent to the Netherlands.

Tachyeres patachonicus

Thanks to its ability to fly, the Flying Steamerduck is by far the most widely distributed of the four species of steamerduck. Its range extends across southern Argentina and Chile and also to the Falkland Islands. Typically found breeding on freshwater lakes up to 50 miles from the sea, this species tends to move to the coast in the winter.

Like other steamerducks, these ducks apparently pair for life. The range of the Flying Steamer overlaps with the other three, making specific identification extremely difficult: the most certain way is to see one flying. However, because of their considerable size and weight, they are generally reluctant to fly, and it is thought that some individuals may be incapable of doing so.

Like all steamerducks, Flying Steamers are aggressive. Their breeding biology is similar to the other steamers, with relatively small clutches and long incubation periods.

Sylvan Heights Bird Park hold the largest collection, having bred them after many years. In Europe, there are a small number of specialist collections starting to breed them well.

The post Flying Steamerduck appeared first on British Waterfowl Association.

Crested Shelduck

Morag Jones — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 15:36:49 +0000

Species Page

Tadorna cristata

The shelducks are one of the most successful of all the family Anatidae. Five of the six members of the Tadorna shelduck group have a conservation status of least concern. The one exception is the Crested Shelduck, which is listed as critical. The last possible sighting was in 1964, while there have been subsequent reports of these elusive birds being seen in Korea, China and Russia, but no photographic evidence to back these claims. Most experts believe that this handsome duck has been extinct since the 1920s.

What is a mystery is why this duck was always so rare, and why it died out. Only three museum specimens exist, and there are no photographs of live birds. It has been suggested that the Crested Shelduck is not a true species but a hybrid, however, ancient Japanese prints and Chinese tapestries suggest otherwise. There are also old Japanese records that suggest that these ducks were regularly imported to Japan from Korea two centuries ago.

The chances of a relict population of these ducks being found somewhere in Far Eastern Russia are now exceedingly slim, so this duck, like the Pink-headed and the Labrador, is almost certainly extinct.

The post Crested Shelduck appeared first on British Waterfowl Association.

Raja Shelduck

Morag Jones — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 11:53:29 +0000

Species Page

There are two races of Raja Shelduck recognised:

Black-backed Radjah radjah radjah of New Guinea
Red-backed R. r. rufitergum of northern Australia

Radjah radjah

The smallest of the shelducks, the Raja Shelduck is the only one to be found almost exclusively in the Tropics. In northern Australia it is often called the Burdekin Duck. Chiefly a coastal dweller, these ducks favour extensive areas of shallow, brackish water where they feed by dabbling, or grazing on nearby pasture. They are most active at night, roosting by day in trees or mangroves.

With their attractive plumage these ducks have long been popular in captivity, where they have the reputation of being by far the most gentle of all the shelducks. In the wild the drakes can, however, be exceedingly pugnacious, especially when the rainy season starts, as this marks the onset of the breeding season.

Most of the Raja Shelducks in collections are from the nominate New Guinea race, while rufitergum birds have been rarely kept outside Australia. Once established in a collection, these interesting ducks will breed quite freely. Despite being poor to eat, over-hunting has reduced populations considerably in Australia, while in New Guinea it has become both uncommon and local.

The Raja Shelduck likes to lay her clutch of 6-12 white eggs in a tree, invariably close to water. She incubates them without any help from her mate — incubation is typically 30 days.

The post Raja Shelduck appeared first on British Waterfowl Association.

Brown Teal

Morag Jones — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 18:42:15 +0000

Species Page

Brown Teal historically exploited a wide range of habitats. Now they are mostly associated with agricultural areas and the margins of small streams that retain overhanging marginal vegetation. Some birds still feed in estuaries on Great Barrier Island. Their diet is freshwater and marine invertebrates and terrestrial and freshwater vegetation.

Despite being outshone by many more colourful species, the Brown Teal is championed by several dedicated aviculturists.

Anas chlorotis

The Brown Teal, or Pāteke, were once widespread throughout New Zealand. They are now rare and restricted to Great Barrier Island, coastal valleys of eastern Northland, and several other locations around New Zealand where new populations have been established using translocated birds.

The first Brown Teal to officially be exported from New Zealand arrived at London Zoo in 1934 and from this stock, the Severn Wildfowl Trust (now the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) received a female in 1949. Two pairs were sent direct to the Severn Wildfowl Trust from New Zealand in 1957.

Essentially darkish brown, featureless ducks, there are differences in plumage and size between the sexes. Males in breeding plumage have a subtle green iridescence on the head, occasionally a narrow white neck ring, dark chestnut breast, and conspicuously barred light and dark brown flank feathers with a whitish patch at the tail base. Females and juveniles are a uniformly dull but dark mottled brown. Both sexes have a conspicuous white eye ring, dark-grey bill, legs and feet, and dark brown eye. Like many of its congeners, the speculum is iridescent green.

The Brown Teal suffered a decline in numbers and range since the late nineteenth century. There are currently estimated to be between 2,000 and 2,500 Pāteke living in a wild state in New Zealand.

Predators, habitat loss, hybridisation with Mallard and hunting have all contributed to Pāteke decline.

Brown Teal are faithful partners and can be fiercely territorial. Nest sites at the base of rush clumps close to water are favoured, where the duck lays 3–9 large pale fawn eggs.

Both parents guard the ducklings until they fledge. They tend to stay close to the nesting territory. Once mature, the ducklings are booted out when the parents start their post-breeding moult.

The post Brown Teal appeared first on British Waterfowl Association.