Page 109 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WILDFOWL
Order Anseriformes Family Anatidae Species Anas querquedula
Garganey white spot
near bill
pale, mottled pale line
brown plumage over eye
pale forewings dull wing
patch
MALE
(SPRING)
pale
spot
near
bill FEMALE
pale stripes above
FEMALE
JUVENILE and below eye
dark leading edge
dark hindwings to wings below
with two equal
white bars
bold white
stripe over eye blotched,
IN FLIGHT dark brown
pinkish brown plumage
back
MALE
(AUTUMN)

blue-grey
flanks
MALE
(SPRING)
mall and colourful, the Garganey is unusual in Europe as a
Ssummer visiting duck that spends the winter in Africa. It is FLIGHT: quick, twisting and turning easily; flocks
mostly scarce and thinly spread but spring flocks in the eastern almost wader-like.
Mediterranean can be substantial. In autumn, pairs or
small groups can be found swimming with other
wildfowl.They tend to associate with Teal and
Shovelers and picking one or two autumn migrants out
from a flock of mixed ducks is a challenge.
VOICE Male makes short, dry rattle; female rather
silent but has short, high-pitched quack.
NESTING Down-lined hollow in vegetation near
water; 8–11 eggs; 1 brood; May–June.
FEEDING Dabbles and upends in water, taking tiny
invertebrates, roots, and seeds.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Common in Mediterranean in
SHOVELER 2
plainer spring, and scarce breeder in
face similar to 2; see p.104
N and W Europe, mostly on wet,
longer bill grassy, freshwater marshes.
bigger
Small numbers of migrants join
other ducks on lakes and
green WATERSIDE DUCK reservoirs in autumn.
TEAL 2similar to on wings Garganeys like wet, grassy
adult autumn; marshes and shallow floods with Seen in the UK
see p.106 JF M A M J JA S O N D
reeds and sedges in spring.
Length 37–41cm (14 1 ⁄2–16in) Wingspan 63–69cm (25–27in) Weight 250–500g (9–18oz)
Social Family groups Lifespan Up to 10 years Status Vulnerable
107