About the Garganey
The garganey is a small dabbling duck. It breeds in much of Europe and across the Palearctic, but is strictly migratory, with the entire population moving to Africa, India, Bangladesh and Australasia during the winter of the Northern hemisphere, where large flocks can occur. This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. Like other small ducks such as the Eurasian teal, this species rises easily from the water with a fast twisting wader-like flight.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The adult male is unmistakable, with its brown head and breast with a broad white crescent over the eye. The rest of the plumage is grey, with loose grey scapular feathers. It has a grey bill and legs. In flight, it shows a pale blue speculum with a white border. When swimming it will show prominent white edges on its tertials. His crown (anatomy) is dark and his face is reddish brown. Some care is needed in separating the brown female from the similar common teal, but the stronger face markings and more frequent head-shaking when dabbling are good indicators.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Garganey sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Burkina Faso, Mayotte, South Sudan, Martinique, Mexico, St. Pierre & Miquelon, Maldives, Turkmenistan, Faroe Islands.
When to see it
Peak activity in May · a passage migrant species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Australasian ShovelerSpatula rhynchotisThe Australasian shoveler is a species of dabbling duck in the genus Spatula.
Cape ShovelerSpatula smithiiThe Cape shoveler or Cape shoveller is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Spatula.
Silver TealSpatula versicolorThey have a black cap that extends below the eyes, and a bluish bill with a yellow tip.
Side by side: Garganey vs Northern Shoveler · Blue-winged Teal vs Garganey · Cinnamon Teal vs Garganey
Learn the Garganey for real
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