Garganey

Anas querquedula

The Garganey is a medium-sized (40 cm) duck, the male having a chocolate brown head and neck with a wide white “eyebrow”.  The breast and back are lighter brown with black mottling, the sides are gray with fine black lines and the belly is white.  The conspicuous black and white scapulars of the male are long and curved.  The speculum is green with white borders, the bill is black and the legs are dark gray.  The female is grayish brown on the back and sides,  with pale-edged feathers creating a scaly effect.  The throat and belly are white, and the head has a distinctive brown and white horizontal striped pattern.

The Garganey feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates such as worms, insects and crustaceans, on amphibians and small fish, as well as vegetable matter such as seeds, roots, tubers, grasses and leaves of aquatic plants.  In winter it prefers coastal marshes and lagoons but may also be found on fresh water. 

In Taiwan the Garganey is a common transient during migration and a rare winter resident.

References:  Handbook of Birds of the World Vol. 1; A Field Guide to the Birds of China (Mackinnon and Phillipps); 100 Common Birds of Taiwan (Wild Bird Society of Taipei)