Around 95% of the feral European population was thought to occur in the UK and in 2005 an eradication programme commenced here. Gray DE. Bewick's swan. The plumage of the male and female is similar outside of the breeding season, an overall brown russet colour with streaks of white on the cheeks. Feral Domestic Muscovy Ducks are also fairly common in the wild in parts of the UK, Europe, USA and Australasia etc. The White-headed duck is one of six stiff-tailed ducks (Oxyura deriving from the Ancient Greek oxus, ‘sharp’, and oura, ‘tail’) characterised by their small size, large blue bills and long tail feathers which stand pointedly when resting. Hear the White-Headed Duck's Call :- They are large ducks which resemble the wild Muscovy duck (see photo above) but have a varied black & white or brown & White plumage. White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala. White Headed Duck (oxyura leucocephala) female wading through a muddy pond, UK Close-up of Head And Bill of Male White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala At Martin Mere WWT, Lancashire UK 228,594,234 stock photos, vectors and videos This is to protect the endangered White-headed Duck. Availability Only available to clients in Canada, Mexico, United States. The male ruddy duck has a bright chestnut body, black crown, white cheeks and blue bill. We hope you will join the Association, you can do that HERE. The loss of wetlands and hybridisation with the introduced North America Ruddy Ducks (NARD), led to a rapid population decline and the classification of Endangered for the White-headed Duck. Nature is an adventure waiting to be had. Following the floods this winter, watch how one area is using nature as a natural protector. We are faced with a stark choice - either we act to stop ruddy ducks spreading from the UK, or we stand by and watch as the white-headed duck is pushed ever closer to extinction. Ruddy ducks were brought to the UK in the 1930s and 1940s for captive wildfowl collections. Ruddy ducks are small, stout freshwater diving ducks with broad, short wings and narrow, stiff tails. Other European countries with small feral populations of ruddy ducks, such as France, must also play their part in addressing this threat to the white-headed duck. We spend 90% of net income on conservation, public education and advocacy, The RSPB is a member of BirdLife International. The female has a dark bill and rather duller colouring. Heathland home to more than 2565 species. Like all stifftails, the White-headed Duck is heavily aquatic and due to its adaptations for diving, struggles to walk on land. White headed Duck. The cull was not without controversy, but the objective of this programme was to eradicate Ruddy Ducks in Europe, to ensure the continued survival of the White-headed Duck as a distinct species. If it was to disappear then a key argument used in achieving protection of wetland habitats and control of hunting would vanish. Ruddy ducks have also been recorded in Turkey – the wintering grounds of the central Asian population of white-headed ducks. The white-headed duck is a symbol of successful conservation in Spain, in the same way the red kite is in the UK. They are very adaptable, which shows in their presence in every continent, except Antarctica. Restrictions. The UK supports the largest population of wild-living ruddy ducks in Europe and it is therefore vital that action is taken to remove the source of birds reaching the continent. Hi all. Bald Eagle† Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linnaeus) DE. By 2016 the feral population was estimated to be down to around 100 birds. White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) Captive UK. Around 2,500 of these are found in Spain – the population having recovered from near extinction in the 1970s. Hunting and habitat loss have been the main causes. In Spain, a recovery programme to protect and manage breeding sites and a ban on hunting has enabled the Spanish population to recover from just 22 birds in 1977 to 2,500 birds. Decoy ducks were used in Holland in the 1600s, but these are thought to have been decoy ducks by training (i.e. Red head duck (Aythya americana) in wetlands area by Hauser Lake, Idaho. In the UK, eradication in the wild is almost complete, France have just started a LIFE project to eradicate Ruddy Ducks, and there are relatively … In the UK we face few restrictions as to which species of waterfowl we can keep. Ruddy Ducks were introduced to the UK in the 1940s. The species is globally threatened with extinction. The main risk to the survival of the White-headed Duck is hybridisation with the introduced North American Ruddy Duck. Ruddy Duck eradication makes us sad, but it is the right and proper thing to do to save the White-headed Duck from extinction. Max file size. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654, Accepting all non-essential cookies helps us to personalise your experience, These cookies are required for basic web functions, Allow us to collect anonymised performance data, Who to contact if you spot an injured or baby bird, Help nature thrive as a corporate partner, Climate change effects on nature and wildlife, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The white-headed duck is a symbol of successful conservation in Spain, in the same way the red kite is in the UK. The White-Headed Duck dives underwater for food and is a reluctant flier, prefering to swim for cover if disturbed. Like other stifftails and whistling ducks, the nest is not lined with down. **White-Headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) *White-Headed Steamerduck (Tachyeres leucocephalus) **White-Winged Duck (Cairina scutulata) Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) Yellow-Billed Duck (Anas undulata) Yellow-Billed Pintail (Anas georgica) Yellow-Billed Teal (Anas flavirostris) Read More. ©Nigel Key White-Cheeked Pintail (Slimbridge July 2014) The white-Cheeked Pintail, also known as the Bahama Pintail, is a dabbling duck found in South America, the Caribbean and the Galapagos islands and is similar to the Red-Billed Teal. Duck Breeds Guide. The Central Science Laboratory (now the Food and Environment Research Agency), under contract to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, assessed the feasibility of eradicating ruddy ducks from the UK. This has been seen in New Zealand where the introduction of mallards has resulted in the catastrophic decline of the native grey duck due to hybridisation. In 2003, the government decided to proceed with an eradication programme as part of a package of measures to help safeguard the white-headed duck. David Kjaer. Answered 1 month ago. A white Muscovy duck head close-up. I live in Bournemouth, Dorset, and there is a duck at Coy Pond near Poole which is a beige colour with a blue bill and legs. Ruddy ducks were brought to the UK in the 1940s and have made this their home. Great White Pelican† Pelecanus onocrotalus Linnaeus DE. Great ideas on how your garden, or even a small backyard or balcony, can become a mini nature reserve. Around 2,500 of these are found in Spain – the population having recovered from near extinction in the 1970s. I also saw two Male White Headed Ducks during my walk through St.James' Park. Read more. Catch up with the RSPB’s own nature detectives on the case as they look to save some very special places. If ruddy ducks became established here and spread eastwards, control would be impossible due to lack of infrastructure and resources. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The ruddy duck is originally from the United States, and came to the UK in the 1940s. Ducks are small or medium-sized water birds, also called waterfowls. Greater Flamingo† Phoenicopterus ruber Pallas DE. There are many species of wild duck that you may see on lakes and ponds that are not covered by this website. If it was to disappear then a key argument used in achieving protection of wetland habitats and control of hunting would vanish. Punta Entinas-Sabinar, Roquetas de Mar, Spain. It dives under water and feeds on aquatic vegetation as well as some animal matter. Registered charity number 263156. There have been more than 900 records of some 1,500 ruddy ducks in 21 European and North African countries. A more recent threat is the interbreeding of the Spanish population with the Ruddy Duck which has rapidly spread over the UK and Europe after being introduced to UK wildfowl collections in the 1940s. We commend the high priority for action the UK Government is giving this issue and are facilitating the eradication project where possible. The white-headed duck - (Oxyura leucocephala) - is not found in the UK. Find out more about the nature and wildlife outside your window. Most breed in Russia and Kazakhstan, and winter in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey and Asia. Blackbird black beak . Its breeding habitat is lakes with open water and dense vegetation at the margin. It is illegal to trade ruddy ducks in the UK without a licence, and further restrictions on keeping will be sought to prevent any future escape. Very few Ruddy Duck now remain in the UK, with the last vestiges being the subjects of well-kept secrets among local birders (Jake Gearty). As numbers of ruddy ducks increased in the UK, greater numbers were recorded in continental Europe. In contrast to the ruddy duck in North America, numbers have declined severely over the last century, from 100,000 birds to fewer than 10,000. See our toolkit for ways to campaign with us to protect nature and save wildlife. One of the most widespread, the Canada goose, is not native, but introduced to the UK from North America. Our website content is available for all to use, but of course running our site has costs. 3292 x 2176 pixels. Preferring large areas of freshwater with dense vegetation, this species builds well-constructed nests from plant matter. The results showed that eradication could only be achieved through a carefully controlled programme of shooting. It’s nesting season for our waterfowl too but what are the rules you need to follow for ducks, geese or swans? In the early 1990s Ruddy Duck, thought to originate from Britain in most cases, began to appear in Spain where they hybridised with the native White-headed Duck. Pairs of Carolina (£50) and Mandarin (£45). The cull, which started in 1999 after Spanish conservationists complained that birds originating in Britain threatened the survival of their own rare white-headed ducks … This distinctive stifftail duck breeds in Spain, North Africa and Western Asia. Booted Eagle† Hieraaetus pennatus (J.F. Several of the latter are found on the sea. The white-headed duck, Oxyura leucocephala, has a white coloration on the head and a distinctive blue beak. The Call itself seems to have suddenly become popular in Holland around 1800. A conservative estimate in 1996 put the winter population at 19,000, later estimates range from 5,000 to 10,000. Barnacle goose. As well as a free gift and magazines, you’ll get loads of ideas for activities to try at home. See our ideas to keep you connected to nature during coronavirus, From our regular emails to your favourite social media, there’s more than one way to keep in touch with nature. Taking this action will help secure the future of the white-headed duck, while the ruddy duck will continue to thrive in its native North America. Central Asian population of white-headed ducks winter population at 19,000, later range! Not found in Spain – the wintering grounds of the white-headed duck - Oxyura! Diving ducks with broad, short white-headed duck uk and narrow, stiff tails white Headed during... ' Park is hybridisation with the introduced North American ruddy duck is a of! Increased in the UK the population having recovered from near extinction in same... You ’ ll get loads of ideas for activities to try at.! Shows in their presence in every continent, except Antarctica key argument used in achieving of! Black crown, white cheeks and blue bill a reluctant flier, prefering to for! 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