A small duck whose male has a broad white stripe above the eye. It feeds at the water's surface and breeds in small numbers in the UK.
The male has a broad white stripe above the eye and a pale blue forewing in flight.
Garganey stopping in the Camargue in southern France during spring migration can show very little weight gain. A wetland stop on a long journey involved little average accumulation of body mass. Comparisons of birds marked and caught again showed an average increase of less than one gram per day.
The analysis used records from 316 males and 56 females caught at the Tour du Valat. Male records covered 1954–1966 and female records 1957–1963. Body mass at first capture and last recapture within the same spring was compared. Average daily increases were 0.27 grams in males and 0.68 grams in females.
Behind these small averages were birds that gained weight and birds that lost it. The authors suggested that a short stop in the Camargue could also provide rest after a long journey. Garganey passing through these spring wetlands can spend time there with little increase in body mass.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
At spring staging wetlands, conservation needs include places where garganey can remain undisturbed and safe, alongside opportunities to feed. The original Camargue study recommends that management give quietness and safety at least as much attention as feeding opportunities. Maintaining wetlands where migrating birds can spend time undisturbed is part of supporting their long-distance journeys.