Name: Ferruginous Duck

Citizenship: Citizen of two continents – Europe and Asia. Ferruginous Duck is a migrating species and in winter it reaches Northern Africa.
Habitat: It has adapted to live in various water basins – shallow marshes and breeding-ponds or deep lakes and reservoirs. The ideal water basins are those with still water and rich in water vegetation. Among the different types of wetlands, the Ferruginous Duck prefers marshes and lakes. The spread of the species depends on water level but only of the nesting places. If during the years these places dry up, the Ferruginous Duck changes them with similar places nearby.

Address in Bulgaria: It is registered in wetlands along river Danube. It inhabits also water basins on Black Sea coast and breeding-ponds and small reservoirs in the country. Ferruginous Duck visits these various water basins in spring when the breeding period starts. The most important wetlands for the species are Sreburna Lake, breeding ponds Mechka, Orsoja and Pazardzhik. It nests also in marshes Durankulak and Dragoman as well as in Shabla Lake. At the end of autumn and beginning of winter appears at Bourgas Lakes. The number of the Ferruginous Ducks at Vaya and Mandra Lakes varies during the years.

 
Number in Bulgaria: As a result of regular monitoring of the species it is established that there are between 150 and 230 pairs in Bulgaria. Ferruginous Duck is not staying permanently in our country. It breeds here and passes during migration but does not spend winter.

Nature conservation status: Globally threatened species. It is vulnerable because the wetlands that it inhabits deteriorate. One very serious threat is deterioration of its breeding places. Other threats are the trouble during nesting season and the illegal killing.

 
Distinctive features: Beautiful bird with dark plumage. Only its back part is decorated with white. The iris of the male is white which interesting characteristic of the species.

Favorite hobby: Ferruginous Duck swims well and it is an excellent diver. It dives to look for food. In Bulgaria it uses easer methods like filtration, plunging of the beak and head. It feeds with plants. This vegetarian sometimes includes in its diet different mollusca, crayfishes and larva.