Marmaronetta angustirostris
The Marbled Duck, *Marmaronetta angustirostris*, is a medium-sized, distinctive diving duck, measuring approximately 39-42 cm (15-17 inches) in length with a wingspan of 63-67 cm (25-26 inches) and weighing 450-600 grams. Its plumage is predominantly pale sandy-brown, finely mottled or 'marbled' with darker brown, giving it excellent camouflage in its reedy wetland habitats. A key identification feature is the elongated, shaggy crest on the nape and a dark eye-patch with a pale crescent immed...
This species primarily inhabits shallow, brackish or freshwater wetlands, marshes, temporary pools, and slow-moving rivers, often with dense emergent vegetation for cover and breeding. It prefers areas with abundant aquatic vegetation, both submerged and emergent, and can be found from sea level ...
Their diet primarily consists of aquatic invertebrates such as insect larvae, crustaceans, and mollusks, supplemented by seeds and vegetative parts of aquatic plants. They forage by dabbling and shallow diving in muddy substrates.
Marbled Ducks are largely diurnal but can be crepuscular, often resting during the heat of the day in dense cover. They are adept at both dabbling and shallow diving for food, often upending or submerging briefly to reach invertebrates and seeds. While not strongly territorial, males engage in si...
The Marbled Duck's breeding range is highly fragmented and spans across the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia. Key breeding populations are found in Spain, North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia), Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. They show...
Vulnerable
- The Marbled Duck is the only species in its genus, *Marmaronetta*, making it a unique evolutionary lineage among waterfowl. - Its scientific name, *angustirostris*, translates to 'narrow-billed,' referring to its distinctive slender bill, which helps it probe for food. - Unlike most ducks, Marb...