Madagascar Pochard Profile
In Madagascar, there are species in every phylum that are unlike those found anywhere else on Earth. Many are now at extreme risk of extinction as a result of the uncontrolled increase in human activity across their range.
And few animals on this incredible island are in as much trouble as the Madagascar pochard, a small diving duck that is now one of the rarest animals in the world.
To many, the title of “world’s rarest duck” might pique less curiosity than “World’s oiliest Kardashian”, but if this sad reflection of the lack of attention and significance the media puts on endangered wildlife can be countered, the species may benefit from tourists coming to visit it.
Madagascar Pochard Facts Overview
| Habitat: | Shallow, freshwater lakes and marshes |
| Location: | One small location in Madagascar |
| Lifespan: | Unknown |
| Size: | Up to 56 cm (22 in) long |
| Weight: | Unknown |
| Colour: | Brown, darker on the head and lighter underparts |
| Diet: | Almost entirely invertebrates, a small amount of plant matter |
| Predators: | Invasive fish |
| Top Speed: | Unknown |
| No. of Species: | 1 |
| Conservation Status: | Critically Endangered (IUCN) |
The Madagascar pochard is an unusual species of diving duck, reliant upon shallow water for its diet, which, unlike its kin, is made up almost exclusively of invertebrates.
These ducks don’t flock often and are sedentary and relatively inactive, and the species was once thought to have already gone extinct until a small number were rediscovered in 2006.
Today, they’re on a knife’s edge, with wild numbers as low as 25 to 50 individuals left. Their conservation relies upon their plight being heard, and ironically, their extreme rarity is now a marketable glimmer of hope for their survival.
Interesting Madagascar Pochard Facts
1. They’re diving ducks
Diving ducks are a tribe of birds in the Anatidae family, which contains the ducks, geese and swans. They are closely related to the so-called dabbling ducks and typically differ in the feeding habits that give both their names.
Most are found in the Northern Hemisphere, but there are species of diving duck all over the world, and the Madagascar Pochard diverges from the norm in multiple ways.
Diving ducks are usually plant-feeding, deep-water, gregarious birds, yet this one is none of the above.
2. They’re not social
This species is neither migratory nor prone to flocking, and they’re usually found sitting around either on their own or in pairs.
They have been spotted in groups of up to 20 but this is by no means common, and this is thought to be a matter of their nature, not just because there are barely 20 of them left.
This is quite different from most other species of diving duck, who appear to be mostly gregarious, and there are plenty of other differences, too. 1
3. They’re mostly insectivorous
Unlike other species in this genus, the Madagascar pochard feeds on insects. It has a clear preference for caddisflies, and while chicks below 14 days old feed from the surface, after this time they begin making their own dives to catch the little insect larvae.
Dives aren’t anything outstanding, usually around 24 seconds long, which is plenty to cover the short distance from the surface to the shallow bottom of their marshy homes, where they forage for around 40% of their day.
The majority of the remaining birds in this species inhabit just two volcanic lakes in the North of the country, and while they seem to have a high rate of hatching success in line with others in their genus, the survival rate of their offspring is now extremely low.
Part of this relates to the steep sides of one of their resident lakes, leaving few shallow foraging areas for the bird, but there are other, external forces at play, too. 2
4. Invasive species are causing a problem
One reason these ducks have resorted to living in a sub-optimal volcanic lake is that their naturally preferred habitats of shallow wetlands are all being drained and converted.
But more than this, introduced species of fish directly kill young ducks, and indirectly kill adults by eating their food, and when the fishermen who put them there catch the birds by mistake.
The final strongholds of these two lakes are also under immense pressure, being in a prime rice-growing region, so the future looks bleak for the duck.
5. They’re critically endangered
Already, it’s thought that the total number of birds left in these lakes is lower than 50 mature individuals. This is now the rarest duck and one of the rarest animals in the world, and unsurprisingly, is listed as Critically Endangered.
Most hatchlings starve before fledging as a result of all the issues the species is facing, and the situation got so bad that they were already thought to be extinct until 2006 when they were rediscovered.
Since that lucky discovery, an almost-permanent camp of researchers in the area has been partially protecting the birds, and an awareness campaign to locals aimed at reducing their direct and indirect destruction is underway.
Perhaps most ironically, the desperate nature of the species is bringing tourism money in that would otherwise not be available. 3
6. Tourism might help
The Peregrine Fund provides information on how to access this duck’s home and see it before it disappears forever.
This is more than just a casual gawk; the money spent getting into the region can contribute to its survival, and increased attention provides a local incentive to protect it.
Meanwhile, captive breeding programs are working to turn things around.
7. Reintroductions are underway
The first captive chick hatched in 2011, and by 2013, the total population was estimated to have reached 80. By 2017, there were ten more, and the reintroduction process began.
A more suitable lake was chosen, and 21 birds were released just before the turn of 2019, where floating aviaries were set up.
The ongoing efforts of conservationists, supported by tourists and local governments and supplied with animals bred by multiple zoos stand a good chance of recovering the species, and the population is now considered stable at around 45 individuals. 4
Madagascar Pochard Fact-File Summary
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Genus: | Aythya |
| Species: | innotata |
Fact Sources & References
- “Madagascar Pochard”, IUCN Red List.
- ANDREW J. BAMFORD (2014), “The status and ecology of the last wild population of Madagascar Pochard Aythya innotata”, Cambridge University Press.
- “Madagascar Pochard”, IUCN Red List.
- Victoria Gill (2018), “Madagascar pochard: World’s rarest bird gets new home”, BBC.