- Compared to 2023, the number of females with chicks has increased from 75 to 130, which represents an increase of 73%
- The abundant rains that are being recorded during the current breeding season are expected to consolidate the good breeding results this year
- These data allow us to exceed the target of 125 pairs set out in the LIFE Marbled Teal project, coordinated by the MITECO Biodiversity Foundation
The reproduction of the marbled teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris) has reached a record number in the last 20 years with 130 chicks (females sighted accompanied by chicks) and 806 chicks born in 2024, according to the most recent data from the species working group, which is coordinated by the General Directorate of Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO). with data provided by the autonomous communities of Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands, the Community of Madrid and the Region of Murcia.
This is 55 more pairs than those registered in 2023, which represents a growth of 73%, and almost double the number of chicks. This is a hopeful increase in the recovery trend of this duck, classified as critically endangered in Spain and the most endangered in Europe.
This figure also allows us to exceed the target of 125 breeding pairs set out in the LIFE Marbled Teal project “Coordinated actions for the recovery of the marbled teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris) in Spain”, coordinated by the MITECO Biodiversity Foundation.
This initiative, which ends in December 2025, has been carrying out different actions for four years to reverse the risk of extinction of the species, including improving the conservation status of more than 3,000 hectares of wetlands, essential habitat for the survival of the marbled teal and many other species.
The latest reproduction figures for the marbled teal are the highest since 2004 and continue the general upward trend observed since 2021, despite the existence of interspersed years with a lower level of productivity. The number of chickens has also risen again and created a maximum since 2024, with 806 compared to the other highest recent figure, of 740 in 2022.
By autonomous communities, Andalusia is the one that contributes the most breeding pairs: 101 with 618 chicks. It is followed by the Valencian Community with 21 pairs and 139 chicks; Balearic Islands with four pairs and 28 chicks; Castilla-La Mancha with two pairs and 10 chickens; the Community of Madrid, with a pair and two chicks, and the Region of Murcia, with a couple and eight chicks. It should be noted that in the latter autonomous community the first reproduction of this species has been achieved since 2008, when it occurred in the Laguna de las Moreras, in Mazarrón.
The hydrological conditions in the surroundings of the Lower Guadalquivir, with abundant rainfall in spring that have improved water levels and quality in numerous wetlands, have favoured the reproduction of the species. On the other hand, in the Levante and the Balearic Islands, a new year of water scarcity and a deficit of favourable places for the reproduction of the species were added, as happened in 2023.
In the Hondo Natural Park, in the Valencian Community, the purchase of the La Raja farm within the framework of the LIFE Marbled Teal took place in 2024 by the Segura Hydrographic Confederation. This farm, added to the El Espigar farm, previously purchased by the ANSE and SEO/BirdLife organizations, represents a total of 141 hectares of wetlands for the conservation of the species in one of the priority enclaves for its survival. This year in El Espigar they have bred four female marbled teal thanks to the habitat restoration actions carried out within the framework of LIFE.
The breeding season of 2025 is benefiting from exceptional hydrological conditions, which augur the consolidation of the positive trend in the reproduction of the species.
CAPTIVE
BREEDINGIn parallel to the good reproduction data of the species, the captive breeding program has allowed, thanks to the coordination of all the partners, the release of 3,042 individuals, triple what was planned in the LIFE Marbled Teal project.
A total of 95 of these examples have been equipped with devices for satellite tracking and improving knowledge about their movements and threats. In addition, more than 100 nest boxes have been installed to encourage their reproduction.
The LIFE Marbled Teal project involves the ministry itself, through the Segura Hydrographic Confederation and Tragsatec; the Regional Government of Andalusia, through the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment and the Environment and Water Agency M.P.; the Generalitat Valenciana, through the Ministry of the Environment, Infrastructure and Territory; the autonomous community of the Region of Murcia, through the Ministry of the Environment, Universities, Research and Mar Menor, as well as the organizations Spanish Ornithological Society (SEO/BirdLife) and the Association of Naturalists of the Southeast (ANSE). It is supported by the LIFE Program of the European Union and the Directorate General for Water.
