Preliminary observations on waterfowl of Western Madagascar

DAFILA SCOTT a n d JOANNA LUBBOCK

Introduction

In early July 1973 we left England for the south and west it is bordered by dry Madagascar, an island more than twice the scrub, to the east by dry deciduous forest and size of Great Britain, 250 miles off the S.E. to the north by the rice fields of Befaroratse. coast of Africa. August 16 and 17 were spent 6 miles to the Our aims were to make a general study of S.E. at Ambereny, staying with a French the waterfowl of the western region and in wood merchant, who took us to Lake particular to look for the rare Bernier’s Teal Masama, which lies on calcareous rock and bernieri, a small rusty brown is very different in nature from Lake Be­ related to the Grey Teal A. gibberifrons of mamba. It is deep and wide with much less Australia and the East Indies. It was first fluctuation of the water level. Its relatively described by Hartlaub in 1860, and has been steep shores are bordered immediately by seen infrequently since. According to Milne- palm trees and deciduous forest. No Edwards and Grandidier (1879-1881) it is were seen here and the only common water­ found either along the great water courses or were herons, taking advantage of the in the marshes and small morasses, usually very abundant supply of T ilapia. We were in small groups. Rand (1936) spent 2 years also taken to Lake Andranolava, a lily on the island in the 1930s and failed to see the covered lake j mile long just north of at all. However, Salvan (1970) reported Masoarivo. Unfortunately it was not possible considerable numbers of Bernier’s Teal in to visit the Soahanina estuary nor the marshy the area of two remote lakes Bemamba and area described as Lake Soahanina on the map Masama in western Madagascar in July due to problems of transport and time. 1970.

Waterfowl sighted Itinerary Bernier’s Teal Anas bernieri On arrival in Tananarive, the capital, on 14 July, we were met by scientists from the Two pairs were sighted on a reconaissance French organization ORSTOM (Organiza­ trip to the eastern shores of Lake Bemamba. tion pour 1a recherche scientifique et techno­ The following day we moved camp to this logique outre mers) who assisted us with our area and spent 4 days there. We saw not more plans throughout our stay and to whom we than ten pairs of Bernier’s T eal, usually rather are most grateful. isolated, both from other pairs of their own On 27 July we flew west to Antsalova species and from other waterfowl. Moving accompanied by Georges Randrianasolo, a camp to the western shores of the lake, we zoologist from Orstom who acted as guide found larger numbers of Bernier’s Teal. At and interpreter. During a 4-day delay in one place it was common to see up to thirty Antsalova we found Pygmy Geese Nettapus or forty in quite close proximity. The maj ority auritus and White-faced Whistling Duck were paired and in the early mornings we fre­ Dendrocygna viduata on a small lily pond. quently observed intense courtship activity, Transport in this area was limited to ox­ during which individual pairs would often be carts. Three days were spent at Ambondra, split. There was much aggression and short a marshy rice-growing area with lily ponds, chasing flights were common, either between 4 miles east of Lake Bemamba. The follow­ males or between females and even some ing 2 weeks were spent on the shores of the between males and females. The females per­ Lake itself. A shallow saline lake, it is situated formed inciting displays in the manner of 6 miles from the west coast of Madagascar Grey Teal (see Johnsgard, 1965) and in both and 12 miles S.E. of the Soahanina estuary. sexes there was much head bobbing with a In July it was about l-j miles long and j mile circular motion. The most commonly wide, interspersed with many clumps of tall observed courtship posture of males was an reeds, but it is said to dry up during Septem­ upright one with neck elongated and wings ber and October prior to the rains which and tail slightly raised. Owing to the difficulty commence in November or December. To of following particular individuals during 117 118 Dafila Scott and Joanna Lubbock these bouts of courtship activity and skir­ As there are no other large lakes in the mishing and to the speed of the birds’ move­ vicinity except Masama, where no anatidae ments no other displays were adequately were seen, the population of Bernier’s Teal described in the short time available. at Lake Bemamba may be the largest for It was on the western shores that we saw hundreds of miles. three instances of copulation, in the early morning when most of the birds were feed­ ing. Two instances involved the same pair Madagascar White-backed Duck Thalas- with an interval of half an hour. Precopula- sornis leuconotus insularis tory display was similar to that of the Chestnut Teal with the typical mutual head- The Madagascar White-backed Duck is bobbing. The female solicited copulation flat­ clearly different from the African White- tening herself on the water while the mate backed Duck T.l. leuconotus, being smaller swam round head-bobbing with raised head, and darker than the latter. White-backed wings and tail. After treading the male per­ Duck were first sighted at Ambondra where formed a ‘Bridling’ display followed im­ we saw four on one pond and a family of five mediately by a ‘Down-up’ in which the breast on another. We spent 3 days in this area and went under water and the tail was lifted high. were able to watch the family. The young He then in each case chased the female for were accompanied by both parents at all several yards after which both birds bathed times, and spent much of their time diving. and preened. These observations suggest that One parent always kept watch on the surface. the birds might breed from the middle of Occasionally the Whitebacks were displaced September onwards. Information from local from their feeding area by a small group of people differed, some stated that the teal F ulvous, but despite the difference in size the breed in November, others in April. It is WTiitebacks defended their young ferociously possible that they breed twice a year, before and succeeded in driving off the intruders. and after the rains. We also learnt that the T ypical aggressive postures of head lowering, local people hunt the duck with dogs and stretching the neck along the surface, and take eggs from nests. The teal apparently will making short rushes with open beak, were not return if driven from the nest. Informa­ observed. When alarmed these freeze tion on clutch size varied drastically, from and practically submerge making them very two to four eggs in one instance to eight to hard to detect. We estimated that the young ten in another. could not have been more than 10 days old. The ducks chiefly fed in the early morning There were no Whitebacks on Lake Be­ and evening, and the middle of the day was mamba, probably due to the absence of water spent sleeping on mud banks. They always lilies. We saw a large concentration of fed in shallow water or dabbled in the mud approximately eighty Whitebacks on Lake at the lake’s edge. N o upending or diving was A ndranolava, where we also saw three family observed. Nor were they observed to drink, groups of two, three and five young, during and there was no evidence to suggest that a short visit of 2 hours. they flew in search of fresh water during the night as do Australian Grey Teal living in Observations on other waterfowl in the vicinity saline habitats (Lavery, 1972). This suggests of Lake Bemamba that they may have well-developed supra­ orbital nasal glands for maintaining ionic Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus balance. The flight is swift and low and the characteristic white-bordered speculum is This species is relatively common on lily- conspicuous. The call is sim ilar to the W histl­ covered lakes. We estimated up to 300 to be ing Duck but di- rather than trisyllabic. present at Lake Andranolava. No courtship We spent one week on the western side of activity was observed at any time, and paired the lake and during this time saw a maximum birds did not appear to be territorial. This of sixty-one Bernier’s Teal along the shore. It was perhaps surprising in view of the possi­ seems probable that there were no more than bility of them breeding prior to the rains, 120 birds on the whole lake and possibly less. although a number of immatures were seen. The amount of movement to and from the lake during July and August is probably slight. However, later in the year when the Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna lake dries up the birds are thought to dis­ fulva perse either to the Soahanina estuary to the north, or to the remaining small freshwater White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna pools and lakes in the forest and rice fields. viduata Waterfowl of Western Madagascar 119

Both Whistling Ducks were very abundant Adaptation to captivity of the Madagascan in most areas, especially on Lake Bemamba White-backed Duck and the Pygmy Geese itself. A crude estimate of their numbers was 6,000 of each species. Courtship activity was During our final days in the west we stayed not observed in either species although pairs at the home of the French wood merchant of White-faced Whistling Duck were fre­ at Ambereny. A local duck-catcher from quently seen mutually preening. A number Masoarivo brought four Pygmy Geese and of immatures were seen. two White-backed Duck, the latter having been conveyed on foot for 18 miles in a tiny basket. Unfortunately one male Pygmy Goose had died and the only female had a Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha broken wing and was in very poor condition, and she died shortly after. We were therefore These were common in the area and we left with two male Pygmy Geese, one adult estimated 2,000 on Lake Bemamba. Court­ ship activity was observed on several occa­ and one juvenile, and one pair of White- sions. We were shown a pair of hand-raised backed Duck. Redbills in Antsalova, which had apparently We had not come prepared to keep birds been caught as downy young in September/ in the bush. However, we were able to con­ struct a small pen in the'shower of our room, October 1972 at the beginning of the rainy in which we placed stones and large water season. lily leaves, thus making a pond containing 4 inches of water. It was extremely hard to find food for the ducks as there were no lily Hottentot Teal Anas punctata lakes in the immediate vicinity, but eventu­ ally some seeding lily heads were found. These were much less common than the These were cut up to release the seeds, and Redbills and we estimated there to be 500 on placed in the water. The following day the Lake Bemamba. Although no courtship birds were put into a temporary travelling activity was observed a large percentage of box and taken by lorry to Antsalova. The birds appeared to be paired. Except on Lake trip took us about 4 hours, and we were able Bemamba they were seen infrequently. to collect a fresh supply of lily heads en route, whilst the other occupants of the lorry shot a Comb Duck and a Fulvous Whistling C om b D uck Sarkidiornis melanotus Duck. After spending the night in a small shed This species was quite common on Lake the birds were re-boxed and flown back to Bemamba and the numbers were estimated Tananarive. At the Orstom headquarters we at 1,000. N o courtship activity was observed, were able to release the birds into a small and the birds were never seen in large con­ aviary containing slow flowing shallow centrations. In other areas they were seen in water. Here there was duck weed, lilies from small numbers. the ornamental lakes, and commercial cage bird food was obtainable. We remained in Tananarive for 4 days and were worried about the sudden change in temperature from Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber day temperatures of 90-100°F in the west, to 40-50°F in Tananarive. Although the birds W e estim ated this species to num ber 1,500 on spent much of their time huddled in the Lake Bemamba, but they were not seen else­ vegetation they adapted well. The White­ where. No courtship activity was observed. backs seemed less shy than the Pygmy At dawn they were observed flighting in from Geese and spent more time on the water. In the north, possibly from the Soahanina fact considering the continual human prox­ estuary. imity they settled quickly, despite the fact that they had to be caught up and boxed in order to be taken to obtain a veterinary Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor certificate on one occasion. A new travelling box was made and divided We estimated this species to number 1,500 into two compartments, each containing on Lake Bemamba, but they were not seen food and water trays. The final stages of the elsewhere. Although juveniles were seen, w’e journey involved the flight from Madagascar presumed them to be first-year birds. No to Nairobi and from there direct to London, courtship activity was observed. and on to Slimbridge; total time in transit 120 Daß 1a Scott and Joanna Lubbock was approximately 18 hours. The birds are nier’s Teal may not be in immediate danger now doing well, and two females have been of extinction but its status throughout the acquired to join the two male Pygmy Geese, western region and the cause of its decline thus making two pairs. merits further study. It is possible that the duck catcher could have caught Bernier’s Teal, so that a breed­ ing stock could be started at Slimbridge. Acknowledgments However, we were not prepared to risk losing these rare birds, due to inadequate facilities We would like to thank the following for their and equipment, when numbers are so low in help in m aking our trip to M adagascar successful. the wild. Dr J. J. Petter of the Natural History Museum, Paris. A. D. Forbes-Watson Esq. of the National Museum, Nairobi, Kenya. Membersof ORSTOM, Conclusions particularly M. Peyrieras, M. Llinares, and of course Georges Randrianasolo. The Service des Hopefully, it will be possible to return to this Eaux et Forets in Tananarive. We are also ex­ area to reassess the Bernier’s Teal and other tremely grateful for the aid of the Ernest Klein­ waterfowl populations, and to visit other wort Charitable Trust and the Henrietta Hutton Memorial Travel Award. areas in the western region. Reassessment is warranted in the near future due to the recent and rapid decline of waterfowl numbers on Lake Bemamba. In Summary the 1940s we were informed that 70% more birds were present. The reason for the decline A reconaissance was made to Madagascar to study is not clear although it may be due to lower waterfowl, particularly the rare Bernier’s Teal Anas lake levels or possibly to encroachment of bernieri in the vicinity of the shallow saline Lake rice cultivation. Hunting pressure does not Bemamba. The habitat and behaviour of the teal and also of the Madagascar White-backed Duck appear to be great, although three instances Thalassornis leuconotus insularis are described. of shooting were witnessed at the beginning Estimates of numbers are given for other water­ of the legal hunting season which runs from fowl, and a list of all birds seen. Two Madagascar 1 August to 1 October. White-backed Ducks and two Pygmy Geese Net- From these preliminary observations it tapus auritus were brought into captivity. Water­ appears that Lake Bemamba may be ex­ fowl in the area have declined in numbers and tremely important for waterfowl especially Bernier’s Teal may perhaps be in danger of extinc­ Bernier’s Teal, and it would therefore be tion. Lake Bemamba merits the formation of a beneficial if this area became a reserve. Ber­ reserve.

References

Delacour, J. 1956. Waterfowl of the World. Country Life, London. Johnsgard, P. 1965. Handbook of Waterfowl Behaviour. Constable, London. Lavery, H. J. 1972. The Grey Teal at saline drought-refuges in north Queensland. Wildfowl, 23:56-63. Milne Edwards, A. & Grandidier, A. 1879-1881. Histoire physique. Naturelle et Politique de Mada­ gascar. Vols. 12-15: Histoire naturelle des oiseaux. Imprimerie Nationale, Paris. Milon, P.. Petter, J. J. & Randrianasolo, G. 1973. Faune de Madagascar 35: Oiseaux. Institut Scientifique de Madagascar, Tananarive. Rand, A. L. 1936. The distribution and habits of Madagascar birds. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 72:143— 499. Salvan, J. 1970. Remarques sur l’évolution de l’avifaune Malgache depuis 1945. Alauda, 38:191-203.

Miss Datila Scott and Mrs Joanna Lubbock, The Wildfowl Trust. Slimbridge, Gloucester GL2 7BT, England. Waterfowl of Western Madagascar 121 Philippa Scott

Above: Andaman Teal Anas gibberifrons aibogularis. Three pairs arrived in 1973, a new form for Slim­ bridge. They are markedly different from other Grey Teal races. Below. Young female Coscoroba Swan Coscoroba coscoroba, reared at Slimbridge in 1973, the first for nineteen years.

Philippa Scott