Garganey

Spatula querquedula

Family: Ducks, Swans, and Geese · Status: Vagrant · Size: 36–41 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds across temperate Europe and Asia, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia.

Identification

Female, non-breeding male, and juvenile mottled brown above with a dark eyestripe, pale supercilium, and pale loral patch below it, streaked buff-white underparts, and a dark grey bill. In flight shows pale bluish-grey upperwing-coverts and a green speculum bordered white, with dark secondaries. Breeding male is unmistakeable with dark brown head and neck with a bold white supercilium curving to the nape, pale brown breast with dark bars, grey-vermiculated flanks, and white belly.

Habitat

Freshwater marshes, shallow lakes, and wetlands with emergent vegetation.