Marmaronetta angustirostris
Rare and Endangered Animals of Armenia
The Marbled Duck
File:200px-Marbled Duck.jpg The Marbled Duck, or Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris), is a medium-sized dabbling duck.
Their breeding habitat is lowland, shallow fresh waters. This duck formerly bred in large numbers in the Mediterranean region, but is now restricted to a few sites in southern Spain and northwest Africa. In the east it survives in isolated pockets in Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iraq. In some areas birds disperse from the breeding grounds, and have been encountered in the winter period in the Sahel zone south of the Sahara.
This duck is approximately 39-42 cm long. The adult is a pale sandy-brown colour, diffusely blotched off-white, with a dark eye-patch and shaggy head. Juveniles are similar but with more off-white blotches. In flight the wings look pale without a marked pattern, and no speculum on the secondaries.
These are gregarious birds, at times even when nesting. Outside the breeding season flocks are often small, although large wintering flocks have been reported in some areas.
These birds feed mainly in shallow water by dabbling or up-ending, occasionally diving. Little is known of their diet.
This bird is considered vulnerable due to a reduction in population caused by habitat destruction.
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Animal in Armenia
Մարմարյա մրտիմն (“Marmarya mrtimn”)
Status
Disappearing species. Included in the Red Book of former Soviet Union.
Habitat in Armenia
Was rarely met in the valley of River Arax and around Lake Sevan.
Number in the wild
11 species met around Sevan during flights in 1965. Recently some 100 – 200 species met on Ararat valley.
Reasons for decrease in number
Was always a rare bird in Armenia.
Number in captivity
Kept in some zoos abroad.
Measures of protection taken
Some preserving and biotechnical measures taken.