Research Article
First Record of the White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) from European Part of Turkey
Department of Biology, Science and Arts Faculty, Trakya University, 1R-22080 Edirne, Turkey
The White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) is a globally threatened species classified as Vulnerable by IUCN (The World Conservation Union) and BirdLife International. It is listed as Endangered at European level by BirdLife International[1].
The present distribution of the White-headed Duck is fragmented, with a small resident population in the west Mediterranean (Spain, Tunisia, Algeria) larger, mainly migratory population in the east Mediterranean and Asia. The majority of the birds in this latter population breed outside the western Palearctic in Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation and winter inside the western Palearctic in Turkey[1].
This research was performed in various localities of European part of Turkey between the years 1990-2002 (Fig. 1). A telescope (40X60) and binoculars (10X50) were used for observations.
Fig. 1: | New localities of the White-headed Duck from European part of Turkey |
The guides of Heinzel et al.[2], Bruun et al.[3] and Gooders[4] were used to identification of the White-headed Duck.
A number of studies were published about the White-headed Duck involving those of Turkey[1-15]. Besides informations about the White-headed Duck, its distribution ranges were also given in these studies. However, there exist no record of the White-headed Duck in European part of Turkey. In this study, 3 new localities of the White-headed Duck are given from European part of Turkey (Fig. 1).
Distributions of white-headed duck in Turkey: Çukurova Delta, Arın Lake, Burdur Lake, Hotamış Marshes, Ereğli Marshes, Kızılırmak Delta, Kulu Lake, Marmara Lake, Salda Lake, Sultan Marshes, Van Lake, Van Marshes, Horkum Lake, Edremit Marshes, Bendimahi Marshes, Uyuz Lake, Yarışlı Lake, Kozanlı Saz Lake, Hirfanlı Resevior, Akkayı Baraji[1]. Çalı Lake, Erçek Lake, Esmekaya Marshes, Karamık Marshes, Kuyucuk Lake, Mogan Lake, Sodalı Lake, Ulaş Lake[14].
The new localities of the White-headed Duck from European part of Turkey.
1. | Gala Lake (Enez-Edirne: 04.11.2001, 4 males, 2 females), 2. |
2. | Gölbaba Marshes (BüyükdöllükEdirne: 23.02.1998, 3 females, 15.3.2000, 2 males, 3 females), |
3. | Sinit Lake (Havsa-Edirne: 13.02.1998, 3 females) (Fig. 1). |
Of these localities only Gala Lake is a nature conservation area. Gölbaba Marshes and Sinik Lake are not under protection.
In this study, 3 new localities were added to distribution range of White-headed Duck throughout
Turkey. But, there is no evidence that this species breeds in these localities. It is likely that the White-headed Duck visits these localities during its migration.