- In 2025, the number of breeding females increased by 32% and the number of chicks by 77% compared to 2024, a year that recorded record data
- The trend confirms a sustained recovery since 2021 due, in large part, to coordinated actions to conserve and restore wetlands
The breeding season of the marbled teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris) corresponding to the year 2025 confirms a positive trend, with 172 breeding females and 1,427 offspring, according to data from the Working Group on the species, coordinated by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) and in which the autonomous communities with the presence of the species participate.
The figures show a notable increase in productivity in the last year, with 32% more breeding females and 77% more chicks born compared to 2024, a season that registered record data with 130 females with chicks and 806 chicks. The analysis of the series thus consolidates the best breeding scenario of the species in the last two decades and shows that the overall productivity of the population as a whole remains at favourable levels.
The territorial distribution of reproduction in 2025 is similar to that of previous years, with Andalusia as the main nucleus, with 108 chicks and 948 chicks, followed by the Valencian Community, with 49 females with chicks and 375 chicks. At a further distance are the Balearic Islands (6 females and 30 chicks), the Region of Murcia (5 females and 42 chicks), Catalonia (3 females and 25 chicks) and Castilla-La Mancha (1 female and 7 chicks).
The trend confirms a sustained recovery of the marbled teal since 2021. This recovery is largely due to the actions for the conservation of the species and habitat restoration, coordinated at the state level and promoted within the framework of the Species Working Group and by the LIFE Marbled Teal project. The favourable results of the actions are in addition to the good hydrological conditions of the last two years, especially in the area around the Guadalquivir.
This progression will also make it possible to assess more accurately the impact of conservation actions and the resilience capacity of the species in a changing climate context. Likewise, the results make it advisable to continue with the effort started in 2018 with its declaration of species in critical situation and later with the start of the LIFE Marbled Teal project and the approval of the Strategy for the conservation of the marbled teal, Moorish coot, white-headed duck and brown duck.
Among the measures is to maintain coordinated monitoring at the state level through the Working Group, to consolidate the conservation of the wetlands of greatest relevance for the species, and to deepen the analysis of the interannual variability associated with the water regime, especially in areas subject to recurrent water stress. This cooperation group between environmental administrations and experts meets annually to share the population data of this duck listed as in a critical situation in Spain, as well as to analyse the progress in the conservation actions that have been carried out and the agreements to develop new measures.
