The garganey (Spatula querquedula) is a small dabbling duck breeding in much of Europe and Palearctic, and is strictly migratory, moving to Africa, India ,Bangladesh and Australasia during the winter
Small and often rather unobtrusive with reedy and other fringing vegetation. Handsome male distinctive, with big white eyebrow on dark brown head, pale gray flanks; pale gray forewing striking in flight.
The name Spatula is the Latin for a “spoon” or “spatula”. The specific epithet is derived from Latin querquedula, representing its call.The English name dates from the 17th century and comes from Lombard language gargenei, the plural of garganell, which comes from the Late Latin gargala “tracheal artery”.
They spend their days in large flocks, far from the shore in open water, or foraging together in shallow, calm wetlands. While they tend to form large, cohesive flocks in winter, they may keep in smaller groups after breeding.
Shot at Coorg outskirts, Karnataka, Feb 2026, (c) Dr.Bishan Monnappa
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