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All about Cyprus - Όλα για την Κύπρο
Below in English
Text and photographs by George Konstantinou
All the ducks found on the planet belong to the family Anatidae. They are aquatic birds encountered throughout the world, with approximately 75 different species worldwide.
They can be found wherever water is present: in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, streams, swamps, marshes, seasonal pools and even at sea.
The males are far more beautiful than the females, with magnificent iridescent colours and patterns in their plumage.
They are all migratory birds and travel in flocks, sometimes comprising hundreds of individuals.
They are omnivorous birds and feed on aquatic plants, grasses, seeds, amphibians, insects, worms and fish.
Although Cyprus does not have extensive water resources or many lakes, we nevertheless encounter several duck species during winter migration. The most common and familiar are the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and the Common Teal (Anas crecca), both of which are also game species. Some species breed in Cyprus as well.
Some of the duck species encountered in our country are:
Mallard – Anas platyrhynchos – Πρασινοκέφαλη
This is the most common species encountered in our country, principally during winter, and it is also a game species. It is a cosmopolitan bird, well known and widespread throughout the world. The male has an iridescent green head, while the female is brown.
It breeds in spring, constructing a well-concealed nest on the ground and laying up to fifteen eggs. Only the female incubates the eggs, for 28 days.
The Mallard also breeds successfully in Cyprus during spring at many reservoirs and lakes, including Oroklini Lake, Athalassa Lake and Despotiki Lake at Akrotiri.
Common Teal – Anas crecca – Σαρσέλλι, Κιρκίρι
This is another common duck in our country and is also a game species. It is the smallest species among all the ducks found in the world.
It also nests on the ground, laying up to twelve eggs that are incubated only by the female. It prefers shallow standing water and is also omnivorous. It does not breed in Cyprus.
During the winter months, it can be seen at reservoirs and lakes such as Oroklini Lake and Athalassa Lake.
I mention Oroklini Lake and Athalassa Lake as the best places because they are protected and have birdwatching hides. As the birds at these lakes remain undisturbed and are accustomed to the presence of people, they approach relatively closely, allowing visitors to observe them.
Common Shelduck – Tadorna tadorna – Βαρβάρα, Αλάουρτος
This is a beautiful duck that visits our country during the winter months. It prefers mainly brackish wetlands, such as Larnaca Salt Lake and Akrotiri Salt Lake. At Larnaca Salt Lake, you can see them very early in the morning feeding in the mud outside the water, close to the road.
It nests on the ground and lays up to ten eggs, which are incubated only by the female. It does not breed in Cyprus.
Eurasian Wigeon – Anas penelope – Σφυριχτάρι
This is a small duck that is relatively rare in Cyprus and arrives during winter. It also nests on the ground near water. It does not breed in Cyprus.
It visits the Meneou sewage-treatment lakes behind Larnaca Airport every year. The Department of Forests has installed a birdwatching hide there, from which hundreds of waterbirds can be seen during the winter months.
Northern Pintail – Anas acuta – Σουβλόπαπια, Σουβλονούρα, Ψαλίδα
This duck visits Cyprus in relatively small numbers. It prefers shallow fresh and brackish waters. It is known as “Souvлопapia” or “Souvlonoura” because of the long, pointed black tail possessed by the beautiful male.
It nests on the ground and lays up to twelve eggs, which are incubated only by the female. It does not breed in Cyprus.
It can be seen during winter at Achna Reservoir, Oroklini Lake and Larnaca Salt Lake.
Northern Shoveler – Anas clypeata – Χουλιαρόπαπια, Κουταλάς, Σαξάνα
This is a common duck in Cyprus and arrives in satisfactory numbers during winter. It nests on the ground and lays up to twelve eggs, which are incubated only by the female. It does not breed in Cyprus.
It is known as “Chouliaropapia” or “Koutalas” because of its broad, flattened bill.
During winter, hundreds gather at the Meneou sewage-treatment lakes behind Larnaca Airport, Oroklini Lake and Athalassa Lake.
Red-crested Pochard – Netta rufina – Φερεντίνι, Ροπαλόπαπια
This is a relatively rare species in Cyprus and perhaps the most beautiful duck to visit the island. The male has an orange head and black breast, while the female is light grey.
It nests in spring close to water and within dense vegetation, laying up to twelve eggs. It is a diving species that submerges to reach aquatic plants.
In recent years, several pairs have arrived annually and nested at Oroklini Lake, although they rarely approach people.
Ferruginous Duck – Aythya nyroca – Βαλτόπαπια
This is a common duck in Cyprus during the winter months, with a very prominent and characteristic white eye.
It nests in spring on the ground, close to water and within dense vegetation. It lays up to twelve eggs, which are incubated only by the female. It sometimes constructs floating nests close to aquatic plants.
In recent years, several pairs have nested at Despotiki Lake at Akrotiri. Several years ago, they also nested at Athalassa Lake.
Hundreds of Ferruginous Ducks can be found at the Mia Milia sewage-treatment lakes in the occupied areas. Hundreds of other waterbirds can also be observed there. These are several large lakes surrounded by reedbeds, and the area has developed into an exceptional wetland.
Gadwall – Anas strepera – Καπακλής, Κανναούρα
This is a relatively rare bird in Cyprus. It does not breed in Cyprus.
Ruddy Shelduck – Tadorna ferruginea – Καστανόπαπιες
This duck visits Cyprus in relatively small numbers. It is slightly larger than the other ducks and has beautiful chestnut-coloured plumage.
It nests away from water in depressions, burrows, tree cavities and even on cliffs several metres high. It does not breed in Cyprus.
Every year, several birds spend the winter at the Meneou sewage-treatment lakes behind Larnaca Airport and at the Larnaca salt lakes.
Tufted Duck – Aythya fuligula – Ππισκουντούρα, Μαυροκέφαλη
This is a rare species in Cyprus, with only a few birds reported each year. It is a diving species that submerges to find its food. It does not breed in Cyprus.
In recent years, several pairs have been reported during winter at Athalassa Lake.
Garganey – Anas querquedula – Σαρσέλα, Μασουρατζής
This is also a relatively rare species in Cyprus. It does not breed in Cyprus.
White-headed Duck – Oxyura leucocephala – Κεφαλούδι, Κεφαλόπαπια
This is a very rare duck in Cyprus and worldwide, with a somewhat unusual appearance and a small body.
The White-headed Duck is now one of the rarest bird species in the world, with a global population of no more than 15,000 individuals.
The most recent report from Cyprus involved three birds observed at Oroklini Lake on 16 December 2015, where they remained for one week.
It does not breed in Cyprus.
Several additional duck species have been reported from Cyprus, but they are very rare.
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