Garganey

The garganey is a scarce and very secretive breeding duck in the UK. It is smaller than a mallard and slightly bigger than a teal. The male is most easily recognised with a broad white stripe over the eye. In flight it shows a pale blue forewing. It feeds by 'dabbling'.

Key ID Features:
A small, colourful duck, often seen in small numbers with teal and shoveler.
The male's prominent white stripe over the eye is distinctive in spring.

Overview
Scientific name: Anas querquedula
Family: Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)

Where to see them:
Mostly found in central and southern England. It favours shallow wetlands, with flooded meadows and ditches, and plenty of aquatic vegetation - this can make it difficult to see.

Seen in UK:
Breeding birds arrive from March and return from July. Small numbers of non-breeding birds visit on passage migration in spring and autumn.

What they eat
Plant material and insects.

Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
For more information click here

Photographer: Tim Tapley

Garganey

The garganey is a scarce and very secretive breeding duck in the UK. It is smaller than a mallard and slightly bigger than a teal. The male is most easily recognised with a broad white stripe over the eye. In flight it shows a pale blue forewing. It feeds by 'dabbling'.

Key ID Features:
A small, colourful duck, often seen in small numbers with teal and shoveler.
The male's prominent white stripe over the eye is distinctive in spring.

Overview
Scientific name: Anas querquedula
Family: Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)

Where to see them:
Mostly found in central and southern England. It favours shallow wetlands, with flooded meadows and ditches, and plenty of aquatic vegetation - this can make it difficult to see.

Seen in UK:
Breeding birds arrive from March and return from July. Small numbers of non-breeding birds visit on passage migration in spring and autumn.

What they eat
Plant material and insects.

Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
For more information click here

Photographer: Tim Tapley