Garganey

Taxobox
name = Garganey
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
status_ref =IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=47206|title=Anas querquedula|downloaded=9 May 2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern]


image_width = 225px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Anseriformes
familia = Anatidae
genus = "Anas"
species = "A. querquedula"
binomial = "Anas querquedula"
binomial_authority = Linnaeus, 1758The Garganey, "Anas querquedula" is a small dabbling duck. It breeds in much of Europe and western Asia, but is strictly migratory, with the entire population moving to Africa in winter, where large flocks can occur. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his "Systema naturae" in 1758 under its current scientific name. [la icon cite book | last=Linnaeus | first=C | authorlink=Carolus Linnaeus | title=Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. | publisher=Holmiae. (Laurentii Salvii). | date=1758| quote = A. macula alarum viridi, linea alba supra oculos..|pages=126] Like other small ducks such as the Common Teal, this species rises easily from the water with a fast twisting wader-like flight.

Their breeding habitat is grassland adjacent to shallow marshes and steppe lakes.

The adult male is unmistakable, with its brown head and breast with a broad white crescent over the eye. The rest of the plumage is grey, with loose grey scapular feathers It has a grey bill and legs. In flight it shows a pale blue speculum.

Some care is needed in separating the brown female from the similar Common Teal, but the stronger face markings and more frequent head-shaking when dabbling are good indicators. Confusion with the female of the Blue-winged Teal is also possible, but the head and bill shape is different, and the latter species has yellow legs.

These birds feed mainly by skimming rather than upending.

The male has a distinctive crackling mating call; the female is rather silent for a female duck, but can manage a feeble "quack".

Garganey are rare breeding birds in the British Isles, with most breeding in quiet marshes in Norfolk and Suffolk.

The Garganey is one of the species to which the "Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds" (AEWA) applies.

Etymology

The common English name dates from the 17th century and comes from dialect Italian "gargenei", a variant of "garganello", which ultimately comes from the Late Latin "gargala" "tracheal artery". ["The American Heritage Dictionary": http://www.bartleby.com/61/47/G0044700.html. Accessed 1/6/07] The English usage owes its origins to Conrad Gesner who used the Italian name in the third volume of his "Historiae Animalium" (History of Animals) 1555. ["Oxford English Dictionary", online edition. Accessed 1/6/07]

Trivia

*Its name in French is "sarcelle d’été", but in the Camargue is said "cacharel", and this name inspired in 1962 Jean Bousquet from Nîmes to name his trademark Cacharel.

References

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=460&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]
* [http://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=47206 IUCN Red List]
* [http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/g/garganey/index.asp RSPB A to Z of UK Birds]
* [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=510 Garganey videos] on the Internet Bird Collection

Gallery