Madagascar teal  (Anas bernieri)

The Madagascar teal has the dubious distinction of being the rarest and least known duck in the world (4). It is a small, fairly delicate looking duck (4). The two sexes are very similar in appearance, and the entire plumage is light reddish brown with a darker nape and crown. The throat and chin are buff coloured and the bill is pinkish brown (2) (5). The wing has a dark green or blackish patch known as the speculum or mirror, which is bordered with white (2) (4) (5).

As the English name suggests, this duck is endemic to Madagascar, where it is restricted to the west coast and far northeast of the island (2). It has a very small population and is declining very quickly (2).

Found in wetland habitats. Habitat use changes with the season; in the dry season they are found mainly in shallow open bodies of water where there is little or no vegetation, but they also occur on sand bars in rivers, at the edges of mangrove forests and in estuaries. During the wet season they prefer flooded mangrove forests (4).

This species tends to occur in small groups (2), feeding during the day and night, but they are most active at dawn and dusk (4). This duck feeds on invertebrates and plant matter whilst wading, sifting through the water with the bill (2).

Pair formation and breeding occurs during the wet season (from December to March) (4). Nesting occurs in shallow cavities in tree trunks (2). Pairs are monogamous and very territorial, defending their nesting site aggressively against intruders. About six eggs are laid, which hatch after around four weeks. After a further six weeks the chicks will have developed adult plumage and will begin to fly (4).

This species is extremely threatened throughout its range (2). The massive destruction of wetland habitats that has occurred in Madagascar is the main reason for the catastrophic decline of this once widespread species (4). Conversion of shallow water bodies required by this species to rice cultivation has been rife on the west coast of Madagascar; furthermore, mangroves are in demand for prawn pond construction and timber extraction, both of which result in an increase in hunting for food (2).

This duck is listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List, which means that it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild (1). International trade in the species is controlled by its listing under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (3). The Durrell Wildlife Foundation initiated a captive breeding programme for this species in 1993. This programme has had great success and shed light on certain details of the life-cycle and behaviour of this elusive and shy duck. However, until major steps are taken to protect the remaining habitat of the species in the wild, reintroduction measures will be unlikely (4). Community education programmes and habitat protection are essential if this desperately threatened duck is to survive (4).

For more information see:
BirdLife International 2003 Birdlife’s online World Bird Database: the site for bird conservation. Version 2.0. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. Available:
http://www.birdlife.org/

Madagascar teal- Durrell Wildlife Foundation
http://www.durrellwildlife.org/upload/MainSite/Documents/pdfs/Copy%20of%20Madagascar%20teal.pdf

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk