113

Abed, et al.

Bull. Iraq Nat. Hist. Mus.
(2014) 13 (2): 113-120

THE STATUS AND CONSERVATION OF THE VULNERABLE
MARBLED TEAL MARMARONETTA ANGUSTIROSTRIS, MENETRIS

(AVES-ANSERIFORMES) IN AL-DALMAJ WETLANDS, IRAQ.

Salwan Ali Abed*, Maysoon M. Altaey**, Mudhafar A. Salim***
*Department of Biology, College of Science, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq.
**Department of Biology, College of Science, Babylon University, Babil, Iraq.
***National Biodiversity Expert, Technical Director, Nature Iraq org., Iraq.

*Email: Salwan_ali2000@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
This study is considered the first effort of its kind in Iraq and in the Middle East towards
studying the Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris that was carried on in Hor Al-Dalmaj,
southern Iraq. The findings of this effort illustrate its importance as it paves the way for further
study and observation for the bird and this important wetland itself. This study tackles the all
possible aspects of the ecological and biological statuses of Marbled Teal (Threatened –
Vulnerable bird species – IUCN Redlist) by means of field surveys and systematic monitoring
that were conducted along the four seasons over the years 2013-2014 in one of the ecologically
important and prominent and poorly-known wetlands in the Middle Euphrates, that is Hor Al-
Dalmaj, as a highly important wetland on the national, regional and global levels that holds
Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA), Important Bird Areas (IBA), and Important Plant Areas (IPA).
Keywords: Marbled Teal, Marbled Duck, Iraq, Waterfowl conservation, Dalmaj, Wetlands.

INTRODUCTION

Marbled Teal was discovered by ( Menetris, 1832) and was referd to the genus Anas, but
recent this genus divide to angustirostris put with genus Marmaronetta. The Marbled Teal
Marmaronitta angustirostris is a globally threatened species that undergoing a rapid
population decline (Green 1993, 1996; Collar et. al.,1994). In Iraq, the species is a resident
breeder and wintering in different wetlands in Iraq over the two lower thirds of the country
(Salim, 2012).

Hor Al-Dalmaj contains suitable habitat for this bird species on the national and regional
(Middle East) levels. The results of the current study approved that this wetland provides
Marbled Teal good feeding ground and breeding shelter as well; nevertheless, the bird faces
different threats. The area demonstrates good factors for the species in case it get managed in
the proper way.

Al-Dalmaj wetlands are vast wetlands at the Middle Euphrates area. The northern part of
Dalmaj is located around 120 km southeast to Baghdad City, 40 km northwest of kut city, and
40 north east to Diwaniya city (Direct distances). It consists of relatively deep-water lake with
vast marshland habitat of dense and scattered reed beds (Salim, 2010). The wetlands of Dalmaj
include considerable diversity in the fauna species including the richness in the Waterfowl
species during winter as well as the existence of many threatened and endemic bird species
that made it eligible to be considered as a Key Biodiversity area (KBA) and Important Bird
Area (IBA) (IMoE & Nature Iraq, 2014).

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The Status and Conservation of the Vulnerable Marbled Teal

METHDOLOGY
Five field observation sites have been chosen based on specific criteria of which mostly that
they represent different wetlands habitat landscapes in order to have as through idea as
possible about the status of the bird in Hor Al-Dalmaj and the identification of the
environmental parameters favored by the bird, like water quality and vegetation cover, etc.
field observation were including “area-count methodology” in each of these selected sites, and
it includes using 12X45mm binoculars and, wherever required, 40X field-telescope. 4x4 field-
truck was used in order to secure better observation over the five sites. A Garmin GPS was
used in locating the sites, and also a 1:100,000 scale maps were used.

Recent satellite image shows the five sampling sites in Al-Dalmaj wetlands

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Marbled Teal status in DL-1:
Based on the field observation over the period of the survey that covered twelve months,
generally seems that DL-1 area provide good habitat for the occurrence and distribution of the
Marbled Teal in Dalmaj wetlands. The bird was found over all the survey time, it was not
absent in any of these twelve months. It also observed that there is noticeable variation in the
population of Marbled Teal over the twelve months. The highest number was found in October,
as 134 individuals were found in the area, followed by 72 individuals in November (figure1).
October and November observation represent the peak of the Marbled Teal occurrence in DL-
1 and this might be due to suitability of this part of the marsh for the bird in addition to the
arriving of the wintering populations to Iraq in general and to Dalmaj and this area specifically
(Scott & Carp, 1982).

It is also noticed that, away of October and November, the population of Marbled Teal takes
comparatively lower grade of the rest of the months of the period January-September; the
highest population that was recorded in DL-1 was 21 individuals (in June), while the lowest
count in this period was recorded in August – 2 individuals. In December the count was 33
individuals (Figure 1).

The summer observations represent the lowest in the occurrence of the individual birds, and
this examples the fact that was described by Salim being the poorest season in the occurrence
of the Marbled Teal in the Wetlands of Iraq (Salim, 2010).

Figure-1 : The counts of Mar

Marbled Teal status in DL-2:
Field observation over the period of the survey that covered twelve months in this site,
generally show that DL-2 area provide a good habitat for the occurrence and distribution of
Marbled Teal as well. The bird was found over all the survey period, and it was not absent in
any of these twelve months. It also observed that there is noticeable variation in the population
of Marbled Teal over the twelve months. The highest number was found in November, as 94
individuals were found in the area, followed by 71 individuals in September. October and
November observations represent the peak of the Marbled Teal occurrence in DL
could be due to suitability of this part of the marsh for the bird in additio
wintering populations to Iraq in general and to this area in particular.

It was also noticed that the population of Marbled Teal takes comparatively lower grade in
the rest of the months of the period as the highest populatio
individuals (in October), while the lowest count in this period was recorded in August
individuals.

Figure-2 : The counts of Marbled Teal in DL

100

150

Count

100

Jan Feb Mar Apr May

115

Abed, et al.

ons represent the lowest in the occurrence of the individual birds, and
this examples the fact that was described by Salim being the poorest season in the occurrence
of the Marbled Teal in the Wetlands of Iraq (Salim, 2010).

1 : The counts of Marbled Teal in DL-1

Field observation over the period of the survey that covered twelve months in this site,

2 area provide a good habitat for the occurrence and distribution of
he bird was found over all the survey period, and it was not absent in

any of these twelve months. It also observed that there is noticeable variation in the population
of Marbled Teal over the twelve months. The highest number was found in November, as 94
individuals were found in the area, followed by 71 individuals in September. October and
November observations represent the peak of the Marbled Teal occurrence in DL-2 and this
could be due to suitability of this part of the marsh for the bird in addition to the arriving of the
wintering populations to Iraq in general and to this area in particular.

It was also noticed that the population of Marbled Teal takes comparatively lower grade in
the rest of the months of the period as the highest population that was recorded in DL-2 was 65
individuals (in October), while the lowest count in this period was recorded in August – 18

2 : The counts of Marbled Teal in DL-2

Count

May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Count

ons represent the lowest in the occurrence of the individual birds, and
this examples the fact that was described by Salim being the poorest season in the occurrence

Field observation over the period of the survey that covered twelve months in this site,
2 area provide a good habitat for the occurrence and distribution of

he bird was found over all the survey period, and it was not absent in
any of these twelve months. It also observed that there is noticeable variation in the population
of Marbled Teal over the twelve months. The highest number was found in November, as 94
individuals were found in the area, followed by 71 individuals in September. October and

2 and this
n to the arriving of the

It was also noticed that the population of Marbled Teal takes comparatively lower grade in
2 was 65

116

The Status and Conservation of the Vulnerable Marbled Teal

Marbled Teal status in DL-3:
Field observations over the period of the survey that covered twelve months, generally
suggest that DL-3 area provide a humble habitat for the occurrence and distribution of Marbled
Teal. It also observed that there is noticeable variation in the population of Marbled Teal over
that period. The highest number was found in June as 30 individuals were found in the area,
followed by 22 individuals in May (figure 3). June and May observations represent the peak of
the Marbled Teal occurrence in DL-3 and this might be due to suitability of this part of the
marsh for the bird.

It is noteworthy that the population of Marbled Teal is comparatively low in DL-3 as it was
only 10 individuals found in July, while the lowest count in this period was recorded in
January, December, August and September – 0 individuals. The summer observations
represent the highest in the occurrence of the individual birds, and this might be due to the
suitability of this area for the birds in this time of the year.

Figure-3 : The counts of Marbled Teal in DL-3

Marbled Teal status DL-4:
It generally seems from the field observations over the period of the survey that covered
twelve months, that DL-4 area provide a humble habitat for the occurrence and distribution of
Marbled Teal. The bird was found through eight months of the total survey time, it was absent
in February, August, October and December. It also observed that there is noticeable variation
in the population of Marbled Teal over the survey period. The highest number (25 individuals)
was found in June, followed by 19 individuals in May (figure 4). May and June observations
represent the peak of the Marbled Teal occurrence in DL-4.

It is also noticed that the population of Marbled Teal takes comparatively lower grade in
January, March, April, September and November. the highest population, aside from May/June
counts, that was recorded in DL-4 was 11 individuals in July, while the lowest count in this
period was recorded in January – 1 individual.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Count

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Abed, et al.

Figure-4 : The counts of Marbled Teal in DL-4

Marbled Teal status in DL-5
DL-5 area in general provides good habitat for the occurrence and distribution of the
Marbled Teal. The bird was found over all the survey time, it was not absent in any of these
twelve months. It also observed that there is noticeable variation in the population of Marbled
Teal over the twelve months. The highest number (120 individuals) was found in February,
followed by 72 individuals in January (figure 5). The observations of these two months
represent the peak of the Marbled Teal occurrence in DL-5 and this might be due to suitability
of this part of the marsh for the bird in addition to the arriving of the wintering populations to
Iraq in general and to this area specifically (IMOE & Nature Iraq, 2014, Salim, 2011).

The population of Marbled Teal takes comparatively lower grade of the rest of the months
of the period (March through December). The highest population that was recorded in DL-5
was 64 individuals (in December), while the lowest count in this period was recorded in
August – 5 individuals.

The summer observations represent the lowest in the occurrence of the individual birds, and
this is consistent with the fact that was described by Salim in (2010) as summer being the
poorest season in the occurrence of Marbled Teal in the Wetlands of Iraq.

Figure-5 : The counts of Marbled Teal in DL-5

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Count

100

150

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Count

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The Status and Conservation of the Vulnerable Marbled Teal

The data of the figures DL-1, DL-2, DL-3, DL-4, DL-5 shows the reduction in teals
population in Feb. Mar. Apr., Because of the breeding season, each couples separate from the
covey for building the nest in between the dens bushes. The exception is in figure -2 and
figure-5. The young will grow, the juvenile of two or more nest make a new covey in July,
August, September and November

GENERAL STATEMENT

Generally, and based on the one-year surveys in Dalmaj area, it seems that this area is
important area for biodiversity, and this means the richness in the species and the abundance in
the numbers of these species that the vast are of this key wetland provides. The Marbled Teal
in Dalmaj is doing very well in terms of their life circle in breeding, movements, and wintering
unless it being disturbed (seriously in some places) and this disturbance affects their natural
life circle in the area. Definitely, the numbers shown above does not represent the actual
population in this area because the sampling sites were only five with a total
surveying/observations are that does not exceeds 5% of the entire area of Dalmaj waterbody;
so, there definitely very much numbers higher than the counts. We think that is would be of
benefit that some of the locals and hunters that “sometime the numbers became up to more
than 20,000 individuals especially during winter”, and this is not impossible as other team
(KBAs team) have recorded up to 12,000 individuals in the Central Marshes, Southern Iraq
(IMoE, 2014).

CONSERVATION OF MARBLED TEAL IN DELMAJ WETLANDS

In spite of the ecological importance of Hor Al-Dalmaj, it is under different kinds of
pressures and threats like the unstable of the hydrological scheme, agricultural expansion and
intensification, pollution, disturbance, and over-hunting (clap-nets, shotguns). These threats
are interchanging in their impacts as they affect Marbled Teal and its life in Hor Al-Dalmaj, so
the wetland and species both suffer the impacts of these pressures.

The area is characterized by many features that make it unique from the ecological and
recreational perspectives. Hence, it is recommended to establish a management plan that
covers the hydrological, ecological and developmental preservation for Hor Al-Dalmaj and the
diversity of flora and fauna it nourishes. This can go side by side with certain activities on the
part of the authorities like the enforcement of the Iraq environmental legislations and the
application of the international and regional convention, especially those related to the
establishment and sustaining of protected areas.

LITERATURE CITED

Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. and Stattersfield, A. J. (1994). Birds to watch 2: the world list of
threatened birds. Cambridge, U.K.: BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation
Series no. 4).

Green, A. J. (1993). The status and conservation of the Marbled Teal Marmaronetta

angustirostris. International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau,
Slimbridge, U.K. Wetlands International (IWRB Spec. Publ. 23).

Green, A. J. (1996). International action plan for the Marbled Teal Marmaronetta

angustirostris. Pp. 99-117. In: Heredia, B., Rose, L., Painter, M. (Eds.). Globally
threatened birds in Europe. Action plans. Council of Europe Publishing,
Strasbourg.

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Iraqi Ministry of Environment & Nature Iraq (2014). Inventory of Key Biodiversity Areas of
Iraq. Baghdad, Iraq: Iraqi Ministry of Environment & Nature Iraq.

Salim, M.A. (2010). Current Status of Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris in Iraq,

Conservation Approach. Nature Iraq.

Salim, M.A. (2011). Biodiversity of the Middle Euphrates: Current status and potentials for

Conservation Action plan, Nature Iraq.

Scott, DA & E Carp. 1982. A midwinter survey of wetlands in Mesopotamia, Iraq: 1979.

Sandgrouse 4: 6–76.

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The Status and Conservation of the Vulnerable Marbled Teal

Bull. Iraq Nat. Hist. Mus.
(2014) 13 (2): 113-120

Marmaronetta angustirostrisالوضع الراهن وحالة الصون لطائر احلذف املعرق
املهدد يف منطقة هور الدملج، العراق

***، مظفر عبد الباقي سامل**ميسون مهدي الطائي ،*سلوان علي عبيد

*Email: salwan_ali2000@yahoo.com

الخالصة
ھذه الدراسة ھي أول جھد من نوعھ في العراق والشرق األوسط لطائر الحذف المعرق تعد

angustirostris Marmaronetta وتستمد أھمیة . في منطقة ھور الدلمج جنوبي العراق
تعرض ھذه . ھذا الجھد لكونھ یمھد الطریق لمزید من الدراسة والمراقبة للطیور والمنطقة

من األنواع المھددة والمعرضة (الدراسة كل الظروف البیئیة واألحیائیة لطائر الحذف المعرق
-٢٠١٣ظمة طوال الفصول االربعة في سنھ بواسطة المسح الحقلي والمراقبة المنت) للخطر
أجري المسح في واحد من اھم وابرز األراضي الرطبة التي لم تأخذ حقھا من . ٢٠١٤

الدراسات الكافیة اال وھو ھور الدلمج والذي یعتبر من اھم المسطحات المائیة على مستوى
سیة والمناطق المھمة العراق والمنطقة والعالم وفقا لمعاییر مناطق التنوع األحیائي الرئی

یوفر ھور الدلمج موطن طبیعي ومناسب لھذا الطائر على . للطیور والمناطق المھمة للنبات
نتائج الدراسة الحالیة . المفرخة والمھاجرة: مستوى العراق والشرق األوسط لكال المجتمعین

ثالیة إلستمراریة توافق وتؤید بأن ھذه المسطحات المائیة تزود طائر الحذف المعرق البیئة الم
الفعالیات الطبیعیة كالتغذیة والتكاثر، على الرغم من أن الطیور تواجھ أنواع مختلفة من
التھدیدات، كذلك تم اقتراح جملة من التوصیات نحو إدارة جیدة لمنطقة ھور الدلمج في

.المستقبل

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