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A population survey of the endangered White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala in Kazakhstan shows an apparently increasing Eastern population

Alyona I. Koshkina,Alexey V. Koshkin,Alexey Timoshenko,Artyom A. Koshkin,H. Schielzeth

Published 2019 in Bird Study

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Capsule Surveys of the White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala at key breeding and staging sites in Kazakhstan suggest a positive trend for the migratory Eastern population and an underestimation of the global population. Aims To review and update the population estimate and distribution status of the White-headed Duck in Kazakhstan using the most recent survey data. Methods Distribution and population estimates were derived from a compilation of all published and unpublished data and a series of targeted surveys in 2013–17, covering breeding, post-breeding and migration periods at key sites in north-central Kazakhstan. Results Numbers of White-headed Ducks were particularly high in the post-breeding and autumn migration period. There was a positive population trend across the past two decades, including high counts in 2016 and 2017, with more than 20 000 and about 7500 individuals, respectively, suggesting a population increase. Breeding records were scattered and overall low in numbers, but likely partly overlooked. Conclusion The global population size of the White-headed Duck is currently considerably underestimated. The positive trend reflects the overall improvement in the status of the Eastern population. However, aggregation at relatively few sites represent a potential conservation concern. The breeding sites that are a source for the migratory aggregations in north-central Kazakhstan are still to be discovered.

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