130925-studie-wildlife-comeback-in-europe

4.4. White-headed duck
Oxyura leucocephala
Summary
Table 1.
Global IUCN Red List
status [7] , European
population and SPEC
status [8] and EU
population status [9]
of White-headed
Duck.
The White-headed duck is a globally Endangered
species. In Europe, the only breeding population
of the species is found in Spain, following considerable
historic declines. The population in Spain
declined in the 1960s and 1970s due to habitat
loss and persecution, but effective conservation
actions resulted in a remarkable recovery from
22 individuals in 1997 to around 2,000 today.
The species’ long-term survival is threatened by
hybridisation with the non-native Ruddy duck, and
considerable efforts are underway for the eradication
of the Ruddy duck from Europe.
Background
General description of the species
The White-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala) is
the only species of stiff-tailed duck indigenous to
Scale Status Justification
Global
Endangered
(since 2000;
was considered
Vulnerable in
1994–1996 and
Threatened in
1988)
The population has undergone a very rapid decline
(>50% in 10 years or 3 generations).
Europe
EU25
Vulnerable
(SPEC 1)
Vulnerable
Large future decline (>30%) expected owing to the
risk of hybridisation with introduced congener.
the Palearctic [1] . White-headed ducks are chestnut-brown
in colour and the males have a white
head, black cap and blue bill. They are highly
aquatic and are very rarely seen on land [2] .
Distribution in Europe
Spain holds the only population of White-headed
ducks in Europe, as defined in this study [3] . The
population in Spain is resident, although birds
congregate at certain sites during winter, the
location of which depends on rainfall and other
environmental conditions [2] .
Habitat preferences
White-headed ducks breed on small, freshwater,
brackish or eutrophic lakes with dense emergent
vegetation around the fringes. Breeding sites are
often temporary or semi-permanent, with a closed
basin hydrology. They nest in dense reed beds, and
sometimes old nests of Coot (Fulica atra) are utilised.
During the non-breeding season, larger and deeper
lakes or lagoons are used [4] . The species feeds by
diving, mainly at night. Diet is composed mainly
of invertebrates, particularly benthic chironomid
larvae, but aquatic plants are also eaten [2] .
Legal protection and conservation status
The White-headed duck is listed in Appendix II of
CITES, Annex I of the EU Birds Directive, Annex
174