Marmaronetta angustirostris

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	ANSERIFORMES	ANATIDAE

Scientific Name:

Marmaronetta angustirostris

Species Authority:

(Ménétriés, 1832)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Marbled Duck, Marbled Teal
French	–	Sarcelle marbrée

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable A2cd+3cd+4cd ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S., Gilroy, J. & Pople, R.

Contributor/s:

Bos, J., Gilissen, L., Green, A. & Hughes, B.

Justification:
This species appears to have suffered a rapid population decline, evidenced in its core wintering range, as a result of widespread and extensive habitat destruction. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable. However, data are scarce and some birds may have relocated to alternative wintering sites. Apparent increases in the western Mediterranean population probably reflect improved observer coverage rather than genuine changes. This population has suffered a long-term decline and widespread loss of habitat.

History:

2006	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Marmaronetta angustirostris has a fragmented distribution in the western Mediterranean (Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, wintering in north and sub-Saharan west Africa), the eastern Mediterranean (Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Syria, wintering south to Egypt) and western and southern Asia (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and China, wintering in Iran, Pakistan and north-west India). Prior to 1991, the estimated population was 34,000-40,000 birds. Although count data are poor, a more recent estimate of 14,000-26,000 birds indicates a rapid population decline. Numbers wintering in Iran have fallen from 25,000-30,000 (1985-1992) to c.5,000 in 1993 and c.3,700 in 1995². Estimates of a wintering population of 3,000 birds in 1997⁴ and a count of 4,250 in Tunisia in 1999¹, suggest the western Mediterranean population is larger than previously thought.
Countries:	Native: Afghanistan; Algeria; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Cameroon; Chad; China; Egypt; Gambia; India; Iran, Islamic Republic of; Iraq; Israel; Italy; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Lebanon; Mali; Morocco; Nigeria; Pakistan; Palestinian Territory, Occupied; Russian Federation; Senegal; Spain; Syrian Arab Republic; Tajikistan; Tunisia; Turkey; Turkmenistan; Uzbekistan Vagrant: Albania; Bahrain; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Czech Republic; France; Germany; Hungary; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan; Malta; Oman; Portugal; Qatar; Romania; Saudi Arabia; Sri Lanka; United Arab Emirates Present - origin uncertain: Bulgaria; Burkina Faso; Georgia; Greece; Mauritania; Niger; Western Sahara
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	3,000-5,000 in W Mediterranean and W Africa (T. Dodman 2002 in litt. 2002 to Wetlands International 2002; Bos et al. 2000); 1,000 in E Mediterranean (Green 1993); 5,000-15,000 in SW Asia (A. J. Green in litt. to Scott and Rose 1996); 5,000 in S Asia (Perennou et al. 1994)
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Behaviour This species is dispersive and partially migratory¹². It shows variable, nomadic movements and is capable of dispersal in search of suitable habitat at any time of year as changing conditions require^{5, 11, 12}. There is a general tendency for a more southerly distribution during the non-breeding season and a more northerly distribution during the breeding season. It is highly gregarious post-breeding and during the non-breeding season when it occurs in large monospecific flocks¹¹ of up to 2000 individuals^12,13. During the breeding season it is more dispersive, although paired birds often mix with conspecifics¹¹. Nests are often built in close proximity to one another, although they become increasingly spaced out as population density declines^11,15. Nesting has been recorded from mid April to late June, and broods from mid-April to mid-September¹¹. The species exhibits drastic population fluctuations, partly in response to annual variations in rainfall. Habitat Breeding It is adapted to temporary, unpredictable, Mediterranean-type wetlands³and breeds in fairly dry, steppe-like areas on shallow freshwater, brackish or alkaline ponds with well vegetated shorelines¹⁴, and rich emergent and submergent vegetation¹¹. It also breeds on delta marshes where receding waters leave behind large areas of shallow water with abundant sedges and bulrushes¹⁴. In addition it may use slow rivers and saline coastal lagoons, and man-made wetlands including fish-rearing ponds and small reservoirs¹⁵. Although it favours brackish wetlands, it tends to avoid waters of high salinity. Microhabitat requirements are strongly influenced by diet. Non-breeding It is presumed to use similar habitat during the non-breeding season. Diet Diet varies considerably between seasons and sites and additionally with age. Diptera are an important component of the diet , especially before and during the breeding season. Small seeds become increasingly important after the breeding season with faeces of post-breeding birds in Turkey composed of 95% dry weight Scirpus seeds^{6, 7, 10} . Newly hatched chicks are highly dependent on emerging chironomids³. Breeding site Nests are usually constructed on the ground at the water's edge, beneath a covering of vegetation^11,12,15. They may also occur above water in Typha stands¹¹ and are reported to have been found in the roofs of reed huts^11,14. Mean clutch size was recorded in Spain to be 11.8⁹.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater; Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

Behaviour This species is dispersive and partially migratory¹². It shows variable, nomadic movements and is capable of dispersal in search of suitable habitat at any time of year as changing conditions require^{5, 11, 12}. There is a general tendency for a more southerly distribution during the non-breeding season and a more northerly distribution during the breeding season. It is highly gregarious post-breeding and during the non-breeding season when it occurs in large monospecific flocks¹¹ of up to 2000 individuals^12,13. During the breeding season it is more dispersive, although paired birds often mix with conspecifics¹¹. Nests are often built in close proximity to one another, although they become increasingly spaced out as population density declines^11,15. Nesting has been recorded from mid April to late June, and broods from mid-April to mid-September¹¹. The species exhibits drastic population fluctuations, partly in response to annual variations in rainfall. Habitat Breeding It is adapted to temporary, unpredictable, Mediterranean-type wetlands³and breeds in fairly dry, steppe-like areas on shallow freshwater, brackish or alkaline ponds with well vegetated shorelines¹⁴, and rich emergent and submergent vegetation¹¹. It also breeds on delta marshes where receding waters leave behind large areas of shallow water with abundant sedges and bulrushes¹⁴. In addition it may use slow rivers and saline coastal lagoons, and man-made wetlands including fish-rearing ponds and small reservoirs¹⁵. Although it favours brackish wetlands, it tends to avoid waters of high salinity. Microhabitat requirements are strongly influenced by diet. Non-breeding It is presumed to use similar habitat during the non-breeding season. Diet Diet varies considerably between seasons and sites and additionally with age. Diptera are an important component of the diet , especially before and during the breeding season. Small seeds become increasingly important after the breeding season with faeces of post-breeding birds in Turkey composed of 95% dry weight Scirpus seeds^{6, 7, 10} . Newly hatched chicks are highly dependent on emerging chironomids³. Breeding site Nests are usually constructed on the ground at the water's edge, beneath a covering of vegetation^11,12,15. They may also occur above water in Typha stands¹¹ and are reported to have been found in the roofs of reed huts^11,14. Mean clutch size was recorded in Spain to be 11.8⁹.

Systems:

Terrestrial; Freshwater; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Over 50% of suitable habitat may have been destroyed during the 20th century. Wetland drainage for agriculture occurs across its range, most significantly in Iraq. Hydrological work has severely affected breeding sites in Tunisia, Turkey, Morocco and Spain. Reed-cutting, reed-burning and grazing commonly reduce the amount of habitat for nesting. Pollution from agricultural, industrial and domestic sources is a threat at many sites. When breeding, it is vulnerable to shooting and egg collection. Further mortality results from birds caught in fishing nets and lead poisoning⁸¹⁶. A lack of habitat following hot, dry summer months probably results in high juvenile and adult mortality postbreeding³. .

Major Threat(s):

Over 50% of suitable habitat may have been destroyed during the 20th century. Wetland drainage for agriculture occurs across its range, most significantly in Iraq. Hydrological work has severely affected breeding sites in Tunisia, Turkey, Morocco and Spain. Reed-cutting, reed-burning and grazing commonly reduce the amount of habitat for nesting. Pollution from agricultural, industrial and domestic sources is a threat at many sites. When breeding, it is vulnerable to shooting and egg collection. Further mortality results from birds caught in fishing nets and lead poisoning⁸¹⁶. A lack of habitat following hot, dry summer months probably results in high juvenile and adult mortality postbreeding³. .

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CMS Appendix I and II. It is legally protected in Bulgaria, Israel, Morocco, Spain, Russia, Tunisia and Turkey. Conservation programmes have been carried out in Spain. Survey and research projects have been carried out in Morocco and Turkey. A European action plan was published in 1996 and is currently being updated. Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct regular surveys and monitoring. Research its ecology. Protect habitat at all sites regularly holding the species. Prevent mortality from hunting and other causes. Increase public awareness.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CMS Appendix I and II. It is legally protected in Bulgaria, Israel, Morocco, Spain, Russia, Tunisia and Turkey. Conservation programmes have been carried out in Spain. Survey and research projects have been carried out in Morocco and Turkey. A European action plan was published in 1996 and is currently being updated.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct regular surveys and monitoring. Research its ecology. Protect habitat at all sites regularly holding the species. Prevent mortality from hunting and other causes. Increase public awareness.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Marmaronetta angustirostris. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2012.
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