Ferruginous Duck

Once a regular breeding species in Israel’s wetlands, the Ferruginous duck has experienced a dramatic decline due to the loss and degradation of aquatic habitats. To help restore the population, the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo launched a breeding and reintroduction program in 2009, beginning with a founding group of four birds that arrived from Lille Zoo in France. Today, this breeding population continues to thrive in the Zoo’s Marsh Aviary exhibit.The first stage of the project involved the release of nine Ferruginous ducks into the Zoo’s central lake. Although the birds were free to leave, they chose to remain in the lake, likely attracted by its safe environment and abundant food supply. This pilot project provided valuable insights into the species’ behavior and laid the groundwork for future releases into natural habitats.Since then, the Zoo, in partnership with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, has released Ferruginous ducks at several sites across the country, including the Hula Nature Reserve, Einot Gibton Nature Reserve, the Tzaria Valley, and Tel Afek.From 2011 through January 2020, 109 Ferruginous ducks were successfully released into the wild including 40 females, 60 males and 9 birds whose sex could not be determined.Monitoring Ferruginous ducks presents a unique challenge. Unlike many bird species, they spend much of their time in the water, making traditional leg bands difficult to observe. To overcome this, the Zoo adopted an innovative identification method developed in Portugal: a lightweight plastic tag attached to the duck’s bill with a specially designed nylon thread. Each tag carries a unique identification code and is individually fitted to the bird. The tag does not interfere with feeding, breeding, or other natural behaviors, yet it can be read from a distance using binoculars or a camera. This greatly reduces the need to capture the ducks again - a significant advantage for a species that is particularly sensitive to stress. The Zoo’s bird care team has received specialized training to perform this delicate procedure quickly and safely, ensuring the welfare of every individual.Like all of the Zoo’s reintroduction programs, the Ferruginous duck project is carried out in close collaboration with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and is supported by ongoing scientific research and long-term population monitoring.The project is also accompanied by educational initiatives that raise public awareness of the importance of protecting wetlands - the fragile ecosystems on which countless species depend. As part of this commitment, the Ferruginous duck has been featured in the 2025–2026 conservation campaign of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), highlighting the international importance of wetland conservation.The results are already encouraging. In the 2022 annual waterfowl census conducted by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, 588 Ferruginous ducks were recorded - a record number and a dramatic increase compared with the average of 230 individuals recorded annually between 2012 and 2020.One of the most rewarding moments for the Zoo’s conservation team comes when birdwatchers from across Israel send photographs of marked Ferruginous ducks they encounter in the wild. These "greetings" from former residents of the Zoo confirm that the birds have successfully adapted to their natural habitats and are helping to rebuild a thriving wild population. Every sighting is a reminder that dedicated conservation efforts can make a lasting difference for one of Israel’s most beautiful and threatened waterbirds.

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