Marbled duck  (Marmaronetta angustirostris)

Over half of the marbled duck's habitat was destroyed during the 20th century when wetlands across their range were drained for agriculture. Breeding sites were degraded in Tunisia, Turkey, Morocco and Spain during hydrological work that resulted in reed cutting and burning. Pollution from agricultural, industrial and domestic sources is also a threat throughout their range. When breeding, marbled ducks are targeted by hunters and egg collectors, and are also at risk from lead poisoning and netting (2).

The marbled duck is protected by law in Bulgaria, Israel, Morocco, Spain, Russia, Tunisia and Turkey. Conservation action has targeted this species in Spain, and surveys have been carried out in Morocco and Turkey. A European Action Plan was published in 1996 and proposes regular population monitoring, research into the species' ecology, protection of all habitat regularly home to it, prevention of mortality, and increased public awareness (2).