Marbled duck  (Marmaronetta angustirostris)

An elegant teal, the marbled duck suits its name, having a brown body speckled with cream. Its dark eye-patch blends into a broad stripe from the eye to the nape, including a slight crest on the back of the head. With its low, slow flight and noticeably long neck and wings, this duck is identifiable in flight. Displaying males give a squeaking ‘jeep', but this species is otherwise quiet (2).

There are three distinct populations of marbled duck. The first has a fragmented distribution in the western Mediterranean and winters in north and sub-Saharan west Africa. The second breeds in the eastern Mediterranean and winters in Egypt, and the third breeds in western and southern Asia, wintering in Iran, Pakistan and northwest India. A sharp decline has left this species with between 9,000 and 19,000 individuals (2).

Preferring brackish waters, the marbled teal is found on temporary wetlands with plenty of new vegetation (2).

Before moving from the wintering grounds to the breeding grounds, pairs form strong seasonal pair bonds that lasting until incubation. The female incubates between 10 and 12 eggs in a shallow depression concealed by reeds, and lined with grass and down, but at this time the male deserts the female. After 25 – 27 days the eggs hatch, and the hatchlings are cared for by the female until they fledge 55 days later. Outside the breeding season, marbled ducks form small groups and sometimes larger flocks (7).

Marbled ducks feed on small seeds and aquatic invertebrates, dabbling and filtering mud during the early morning and evening, but resting during the day. Population size fluctuates in response to annual differences in rainfall, and individuals will disperse widely to find suitable habitat (2).

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).

For further information on this species see the International Action Plan:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/directive/birdactionplan/marmaronettaangustirostris.htm

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