Justification This species is listed as Endangered because it has a very small population, in one subpopulation, that is undergoing a rapid and continuing decline owing to habitat loss and hunting.

Family/Sub-family Anatidae

Species name author (Hartlaub, 1860)

Taxonomic source(s) Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 40-45 cm. Small dabbling duck. Rather pale, warm greyish-brown all over, scalloped darker most conspicuously on flanks and breast, wing with black speculum. Head rather uniform, pale, pinkish-grey bill, slightly upturned. Similar spp. Told from all other ducks by lack of conspicuous head-pattern, bill colour, rather long neck, wide white borders to distinctive black speculum, and habit of feeding by wading in shallow muddy water. Hints Usually in pairs or small groups, feeding in mangroves, on lake edges or estuarine mudflats.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

1,500 - 2,500

decreasing

50,200 km²

Yes

Range & population Anas bernieri is endemic to western Madagascar. Its range encompasses a narrow coastal strip along the whole of the west coast and the extreme north-east^5,7,12,18. It is known to breed at many sites in Menabe and Melaky on the central west coast, and at Ankazomborona on the far north-west coast¹³: 100-500 were estimated to be present between Antsalova and Morondava in July-August 1993⁶ and a flock of 67 was seen near Tambohorano in 1998¹; and a new breeding population of 200-300 individuals was recently discovered at Ankazomborona, north of Mahajanga and some 720 km north of the Masoarivo breeding site. The population in Baie de la Mahajamba was estimated to be 150-200 birds in November-December 2003¹⁶. The total population is estimated at 1,500-2,500 individuals¹⁵.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: Behaviour This species is mostly sedentary. Birds breed during the wet season months of December to March^16,21, and moult at the beginning of the dry season²² when they become flightless for a period¹⁷. They then move short distances to coastal areas in search of suitable habitat for the dry season²¹. During the breeding season the species occurs in solitary, dispersed pairs²⁰, but during the non-breeding season it is more gregarious and occurs in groups of up to 40 individuals²⁰. Pair-bonds may last through consecutive seasons and investment by males is high and involves the protection of the female and young¹⁷. Habitat Breeding The species breeds only in seasonally flooded, non-tidal areas dominated by Black Mangrove, Avicennia marina, on the landward side of littoral forest^16,17.^18,22. Non-breeding During its post-breeding moult, during which time it is flightless¹⁷, the species seeks out lakes that are rich in aquatic vegetation²², and in the subsequent dry season it is found in coastal wetland areas of shallow water and nutrient-rich mud^21,22, including saline and brackish areas²². Here it prefers open rather than vegetated wetlands¹⁷ and is most often found in coastal mangrove forest, bays, estuaries and shallow saline wetlands just inland of mangroves (tannes), though it can also be found less frequently in marshes, dense deciduous forest, areas of open water and herbaceous savannah, especially where Hyparrhenia and Heteropogon grasses are present¹⁶. Diet Little is know about its diet except during moulting when it feeds on terrestrial and aquatic insects including Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera, in addition to the seeds of various plant families and the leaves and stems of monocotyledons²¹. It usually feeds by dabbling in the mud while wading^6,9. Breeding Site Nesting takes place in holes in Avicennia marina mangrove trees^16,21 that have been created by storm damage or decay¹⁶. Ducklings fledge at 45-49 days¹⁷.

Threats The species is now extremely threatened throughout its breeding range, by extensive habitat loss and disturbance. The distribution of known sites suggests that the single subpopulation is being fragmented as areas of habitat become unsuitable^17,18. The species has limited dispersal capabilities and isolation may result in the loss of genetic diversity¹⁷. Furthermore it is threatened by virtue of being highly specific to a series of habitats - which are themselves threatened - throughout its annual cycle²². Conversion of shallow, muddy water-bodies to rice cultivation¹¹ has been so widespread on the west coast that in the non-breeding season the species now appears to be confined to the few suitable wetlands that are too saline for rice-growing, i.e. some inland lakes and coastal areas such as mudflats³. In 2004, during a dry-season survey in Menabe, this species was only found in saline wetlands¹⁸. Pressures on coastal wetlands are exacerbated by the movement of people from the High Plateau to coastal regions, which is driven by the over-exhaustion of land¹⁶. Mangroves are under increasing pressure from prawn-pond construction and timber extraction, which also leads to massively increased hunting⁶. Subsistence hunting during the nesting season and the trapping of moulting birds are major threats¹⁷. In contrast, the newly discovered breeding site at Ankazomborona is not threatened by aquaculture and there is little pressure from subsistence hunters, though there is some pressure from sport hunters¹³. Breeding birds may suffer disturbance from human activity, such as the collection of crabs¹⁶. The species is potentially in competition for the use of suitable nest-holes with the Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos, parrots Coracopsis species and nocturnal lemurs, Lepilemur species and Cheirogaleus species, though lemurs are absent in mangroves¹⁶.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. It has been recorded from Baly Bay National Park, Tsimanampetsotsa Strict Reserve¹², Analabe Private Reserve, Kirindy Mitea National Park and Lac Bedo Ramsar Site¹⁸. A captive-breeding programme started in 1993^6,10, and these birds are used to study breeding behaviour¹⁷. Studies on the ecology of the wild birds (including provision of nest boxes¹⁴) and a conservation programme at Lac Antsamaka (in Manambolomaty Ramsar Site) have also been initiated. Flightless birds moulting wing feathers have been caught and ringed annually in May and June at Antsamaky since 1997¹⁷.

Conservation measures proposed Survey the distribution and abundance of the species⁸ through standardised national surveys and/or the sharing of data between organisations¹⁹, and search for new breeding sites on the west coast, e.g. north of Mahajanga. Study its ecological needs⁸ and complete further ecological studies at Ankazomborona. Conduct research into the species's reproductive ecology; Ankazomborona may be a particularly suitable study site¹⁶. Ensure adequate protection of nesting, moulting and dry-season sites¹⁷.

References Collar and Stuart (1985). 1. Anon. (1998c). 2. Callaghan et al. (in prep.). 3. Green et al. (1994). 5. Langrand (1995). 6. Morris and Hawkins (1998). 7. F. Razafindrajao per R. Safford in litt. (1999). 8. Thorstrom and Rabarisoa (1997). 9. Young (1995). 10. Young (1998). 11. Young et al. (1993). 12. ZICOMA (1999). 13. Razafindrajao et al. (2001). 14. R. Lewis verbally (2001). 15. G. Young in litt. 2002 to Wetlands International (2002). 16. Joiner et al. (2006). 17. Young (2006). 18. H.G. Young in litt. (2007). 19. M. Rabenandrasana in litt. (2007). 20. Scott and Rose (1996). 21. Kear (2005^b). 22. Razafindrajao (2000)

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Mike Evans (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Malcolm Starkey (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors R. Lewis (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust), Marc Rabenandrasana (Asity: Ligue Malagache pour la Protec. des Oiseaux), Félix Razafindrajao (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust), Roger Safford (BirdLife International), Glyn Young (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Anas bernieri. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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