Justification This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is very large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Family/Sub-family Anatidae

Species name author (Linnaeus, 1766)

Taxonomic source(s) AERC TAC (2003), Cramp and Simmons (1977-1994), Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

300,000 - 500,000

unset

15,800,000 km²

No

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 partially migratory, making seasonal movements¹ of several hundred kilometres⁵ related to the availability of water¹. It breeds during or near the end of the wet season in solitary pairs¹ although it may also feed in small groups during this period². The species congregates after breeding (at the beginning of the dry season)¹ to undergo a flightless moulting period lasting for c.50 days² (6-7 weeks)⁴, the males moulting before the females². It is commonly found in small groups of up to 50 individuals³ and occasionally aggregates into larger flocks (e.g. when moulting)². In the winter it rests by day and feeds in the early morning, evening or at night², sometimes perching in trees to roost⁵. Habitat The species inhabits seasonal and permanent wetlands² near grasslands or arable land¹, including lakes, rivers¹, inland river deltas³, marshes¹, swamps, flooded grasslands, pastures², reservoirs¹, farm impoundments⁶ and sewage works⁴, particularly those with emergent and fringing vegetation² and surrounded by scattered trees¹. When moulting it frequents areas with open shorelines, islands and sandbars², generally avoiding saline lakes and upland areas³. Diet Its diet consist predominantly of plant matter such as the vegetative parts and seeds of grasses, sedges and aquatic plants¹, agricultural grain¹, fruit (e.g. figs)² and tuberous crops⁴ (e.g. sweet potatoes)², although it may occasionally take small fish¹ or insects². Breeding site The species shows a preference for nesting in hollow trees, tree-cavities or in the abandoned nests of other tree-nesting bird species¹ (e.g. Hamerkop Scopus umbretta³, African Fish-eagle Haliaeetus vocifer or Social Weaver Philetairus scoius⁵), often between 20 and 100 cm high in trees 3-4 m tall⁶. Where tree-nesting sites are unavailable⁵, it will also nest on the ground¹ in long grass or reeds near water⁵, in rock cavities, holes in termite mounds³, or even in aardvark Orycteropus afer burrows⁵.

Threats The species is threatened by uncontrolled hunting (declines in Botswana have been attributed to hunting outside of protected areas)⁶. Utilisation The species is hunted and traded at traditional medicine markets in Nigeria⁷.

References 1. del Hoyo et al. (1992). 2. Kear (2005a). 3. Madge and Burn (1988). 4. Johnsgard (1978). 5. Brown et al. (1982). 6. Hockey et al. (2005). 7. Nikolaus (2001).

Text account compilers Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Gustavo Malacco (Universidade Federal de Uberlândia), Lucy Malpas (BirdLife International)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Plectropterus gambensis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

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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