Shoveler
A common dabbling duck, particularly during the winter, Shovelers feed by sweeping their bills back and forth through the water, filtering out small invertebrates, plant seeds and other plant matter.
The UK is home to 20% of the north-west European population of Shovelers, making it an important refuge. The Ouse Washes are particularly important for this species, supporting more than 150 pairs which is 2% of the international population. But our wetlands areas are threatened by development, drainage and climate change. Local Wildlife Trusts work hard to protect and manage the wetland habitats that our waterbirds need to survive; by volunteering you can help too, and you'll make new friends and learn new skills along the way.
Pintail
The pintail is an uncommon dabbling duck, which rarely breeds in Britain and is only likely to be seen during the winter when small numbers may be found wherever other ducks are common. Larger numbers gather on selected sheltered estuaries, such as the Wash and the Dee Estuary. It is also found across North America. Like all dabbling ducks, Pintails feed at the surface rather than diving for their food. Pintails eat plant food when dabbling, but will supplement their diet with insects and molluscs in the breeding season.
Pintails were once a very common duck across the globe, but it is declining due to hunting and human activity, and is now a rare breeder in Britain due to its specific habitat requirements - shallow pools in open, grassland areas. These wetlands are threatened by development, drainage and climate change. The Wildlife Trusts manage many wetland nature reserves for the benefit of the wildlife they support. You can help by supporting your local Trust and becoming a member; you'll find out about exciting wildlife happenings, events on your doorstep and volunteering opportunities, and be helping local wildlife along the way.
Gadwall
The survival of our waterbirds is threatened by the loss and degradation of many of our wetland habitats. The Wildlife Trusts manage many wetland nature reserves for the benefit of the wildlife they support. You can help by supporting your local Trust and becoming a member; you'll find out about exciting wildlife happenings, events on your doorstep and volunteering opportunities, and be helping local wildlife along the way.
Mallard
The mallard is the most familiar of all the dabbling ducks, found right across Europe, Asia and North America. They have also been introduced to South Africa and Australia. Mallards are a common sight at your local park or pond and are often very tame, being fed by the public regularly.
The mallard is a common duck but has recently been added to the Amber List of Birds of Conservation Concern because non-breeding populations are declining. This demonstrates that the survival of some of our most common waterbirds is under threat due to the loss and degradation of our wetland habitats. Local Wildlife Trusts work hard to protect and manage the wetland habitats that our waterbirds need to survive; by volunteering you can help too and you'll make new friends and learn new skills along the way.
Mandarin Duck
The beautiful Mandarin Duck was introduced from the Far East, where it can still be found in China, Japan, Korea and parts of Russia. It escaped, or was deliberately released, from captivity. Mandarin Ducks are actually quite shy birds, often hiding beneath overhanging willows and usually only forming small flocks.
Although the UK population of the mandarin duck is introduced, this could act as a valuable 'reservoir' in the future. Local Wildlife Trusts work hard to protect and manage the wetland habitats that our waterbirds need to survive; by volunteering you can help too, and you'll make new friends and learn new skills along the way.
Shelduck
The Shelduck is one of our largest ducks, growing as big as some geese. It is mainly coastal, feeding on small invertebrates in the mud on estuaries and sandy beaches, but they have spread inland as gravel pits have been dug and flooded, their sandy shores and gravel banks providing a perfect feeding ground.
The survival of our waterbirds is threatened by the loss and degradation of many of our wetland habitats. The Wildlife Trusts manage many wetland nature reserves for the benefit of the wildlife they support. You can help by supporting your local Trust and becoming a member; you'll find out about exciting wildlife happenings, events on your doorstep and volunteering opportunities, and be helping local wildlife along the way.
Brent Goose
Another common wintering bird, and the smallest of our common geese, the Brent Goose is only just bigger than a Mallard. Brent Geese gather in large flocks of hundreds or more and, like other geese, fly in long V-shaped formations called 'skeins'.
Britain is an important stopover for many wintering migrant species, so it is vital that we protect the places they rely on. But the survival of our waterbirds is threatened by the loss and degradation of many of our wetland habitats. The Wildlife Trusts manage many wetland nature reserves for the benefit of the wildlife they support. You can help by supporting your local Trust and becoming a member; you'll find out about exciting wildlife happenings, events on your doorstep and volunteering opportunities, and be helping local wildlife along the way.
Barnacle Goose
The Barnacle Goose is one of our smaller geese, with a relatively small, rounded head and a very short bill. A common winter visitor to the north-west of Britain in particular. Like all geese, they will graze on vegetation such as roots, stems, leaves and seeds.
Britain is an important stopover for many wintering migrant species, so it is vital that we protect the places they rely on. But the survival of our waterbirds is threatened by the loss and degradation of many of our wetland habitats. The Wildlife Trusts manage many wetland nature reserves for the benefit of the wildlife they support. You can help by supporting your local Trust and becoming a member; you'll find out about exciting wildlife happenings, events on your doorstep and volunteering opportunities, and be helping local wildlife along the way.
Canada Goose
The Canada Goose is our largest goose and maybe our most familiar. They are a common bird across most of the country, nesting on park lakes, flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Canada Geese are not native to this country, having been introduced from North America about 300 years ago. After the Second World War, they spread across the UK, becoming pests in some areas as they congregate in large numbers and cause damage.
Canada Geese can be a serious pest, nosily flocking at park lakes, decimating crops and leaving large quantities of excrement. But out on lakes and reservoirs, they can mostly live without cause for concern. The Wildlife Trusts work with pest controllers to find the most wildlife-friendly solutions to some of our everyday problems. You can help by avoiding feeding these birds at local parks and rivers.
Pink-footed Goose
The Pink-footed Goose is one of our smaller geese, with a relatively short neck, rounded head and short bill. A common winter visitor, numbers of Pink-footed Geese are at an all-time high thanks to conservation work both here and on their breeding grounds.
Britain is an important stopover for many wintering migrant species, so it is vital that we protect the places they rely on. But the survival of our waterbirds is threatened by the loss and degradation of many of our wetland habitats. The Wildlife Trusts manage many wetland nature reserves for the benefit of the wildlife they support. You can help by supporting your local Trust and becoming a member; you'll find out about exciting wildlife happenings, events on your doorstep and volunteering opportunities, and be helping local wildlife along the way.
