The White-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala is a globally threatened species classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN, 2000) and Threatened Birds of the World (BirdLife International, 2000). O. leucocephala is listed on Appendix I of CMS. The range of the species is restricted to a relatively small area of Central Eurasia and North Africa. The global population of the White-headed duck was probably over 100,000 in the early twentieth century, but its numbers had fallen to an estimated 19,000 individuals in 1991. BirdLife International (2000) estimated a world population of 2,500-10,000 individuals. However, while in certain areas (e.g. Spain) the species has recently given sign of recovery, in the Central Asian region it has continued in an alarming downward trend.

 

With funding from the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), Wetlands International has undertaken a comprehensive review of the status of the White-headed Duck in the Central Asian countries during 2002. The study has covered Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia (Asian part only), Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan.

 

A field survey undertaken in Northern Pakistan to evaluate the current status of the White-headed duck wintering population could count only 5 birds in January 2002.

 

From the replies to a questionnaire developed and distributed among waterbird experts in the Central Asian
region to collect information on the White-headed Duck, the project could estimate the East
Mediterranean/Turkey/Southwest Asia wintering population at 5,000-10,000 birds, while the South Asian wintering population is estimated at only 10 birds.

 

The study has allowed identifying the main threat to the conservation of the White-headed Duck in Central Asia. The drought in Central Asian region over the last few years has greatly reduced wetland habitat for this and many other waterbird species. The long-term effects of drought on the viability of the residual tiny population is difficult to predict, but is potentially serious. Habitat loss and degradation due to unsustainable use of water resources has further reduced the available habitat for the population. Human disturbance and hunting are also recorded as additional threats.

 

Six main recommendations have been proposed for conservation of the White-headed Duck in the Central Asian Region. These include:

· Review of national policy and legislation to ensure adequate legal protection for the White-headed Duck and its enforcement.
· Sustainable management of water resources to ensure adequate allocation of water.
· Site conservation measures, such as, establishment of an international network of sites of importance for migratory waterbirds.
· Development of a flyway-wide project to build and strengthen links between wetland managers and organisations.
· Development of a comprehensive population-monitoring programme covering the wintering, migratory and breeding seasons.
· Research to define the migration routes and population boundaries of the White-headed Duck.
In addition, a number of country specific recommendations have been made.

This study integrates in a broader initiative of Wetlands International, CMS and others for the development of an Action Plan for the Central Asian Flyway, aimed at providing a comprehensive framework for the conservation of all migratory waterbird species and their wetland habitats in this region.

The report of the study is published in the Wetlands International Global Series, and can be downloaded from http://www.wetlands.org/pubs&/WHD_gs15_index.htm

Source: Wetlands International