Garganey

Due to their particular, cricketlike vocalizations, the quiet Garganey (Anas Querquedula) are commonly known as Cricket Teal, and the ducks were formerly as Crackling Teal. Their vernacular name supposedly echoes the distinctive drake courtship notes, and even the specific name is an onomatopoeic rendering of querk or kark, because of their mechanical-sounding, low, crackling rattles or burps. Slightly larger than their more somber-colored mates, the nuptial-plumaged drakes are noted for elongated, drooping black-and-white striped scapulars. Their reddish-brown head is adorned with stunning, broad white stripes that extend from the eyes to the nape. Males of Garganey (Anas Querquedula) remain in eclipse plumage for a long period of time, they normally remain out of color for 5-6 months and sometimes even up to 10 months. Their rapidly beating wings create a characteristic hiss, enabling experienced waterfowlers to identify Garganey (Anas Querquedula) even in the dark. Dense, well-coordinated flocks maneuver with speed and agility, often close to the water. Omnivorous ducks that habitually filter-feed on the surface, Garganeys (Anas Querquedula) seemingly have a greater reliance on animal prey than many small northern dabblers. Breeding over most of Eurasia, they prefer inland habitat, but may winter in coastal marshes or lagoons, and even settle on the sea during migration. Essentially steppe breeders, pairs of Garganey (Anas Querquedula) are partial to deciduous forests, shallow lowland lakes, swampy meadows and flooded fields. The only duck that migrates to Britain in the spring to breed, they are known to the English as Summer Ducks. Garganey (Anas Querquedula) are reasonably abundant, with western European breeding numbers remain steady despite hunting pressure and loss of suitable habitat.