Garganey

Latin Anas querquedula
Estonian Rägapart

Also known as: no known names

Status in Estonia

Breeding and migratory bird

Description

The garganey is a bit larger than the Eurasian teal, with a longer and stronger beak and a longer tail. In flight, the wings are brighter than the Eurasian teal. In definitive plumage, the male’s middle of the head is purplish-brown with a white crescent-shaped band over the eye and along the side of the nape. The breast is dark brown, the sides are light grey, and the shoulder feathers are black, white and pointed. The female bird is similar to the Eurasian teal, but it is slightly bigger, has a larger and stronger all-grey beak, a less apparent dark stripe on the cheek and a light patch right before of the beak, giving the head a striped appearance; there is no light spot on the side of the tail. The male bird in eclipse plumage resembles the female bird, but it preserves the bright blue-grey front edge of the wing. The juvenile resembles the female bird, but the underside is less bright and the back border of the wing is narrower at the wing’s bend area.

Size

Body length 37–41 cm, wingspan 59–67 cm, body mass 300–400 g.

Similar species

Eurasian teal.

Distribution

It breeds practically everywhere in Europe as well as Western Asia. It winters in Africa. The garganey is a widespread uncommon breeding bird in Estonia.

Population

Estonia has 800–1000 breeding pairs.

Occurrence in Estonia

It arrives in April and departs in September-October.

Diet

It eats mostly plant-based foods such as aquatic plants, shoots, etc. and seeds in winter. Insects, crustaceans and molluscs are also consumed in small amounts throughout the summer.

Habitat

It breeds in shallow freshwater bodies with plenty of food as well as in beach and flood-meadows.

Nesting

The nest is a hole in a hidden tussock or under a bush. The female lays 8–11 eggs and incubates them for 21–23 days. After hatching, the chicks can forage for themselves. Chicks can fly after 35–40 days.

Conservation status and protection

Not under protection.

Distribution and population in Lääne County

The garganey is an uncommon breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. Compared to other dabbling ducks, its numbers are significantly lower.

In Lääne County, garganeys nest primarily in beach meadows. Birds that stop during their migration can be found in inner bays, flooded-meadows and even ponds in the manor park. Garganeys can be observed best in Haeska and Cape Puise as well as from the birdwatching tower in the Silma Nature Reserve on the Kirimäe Peninsula.