Endemic Waterfowl

One-country Endemic Waterfowl of the World

Endemism is the state of a species being native to a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere. The extreme opposite of an endemic species is one with a cosmopolitan distribution, having a global or widespread range, like the Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos).

27 species of waterfowl are known to be endemic to one country. Endemics might more easily become endangered or extinct because they are already restricted in distribution. Some scientists claim that the presence of endemic species in an area is a good method to find geographical regions which can be considered priorities for conservation.

This page includes a ranking of countries by their number of endemic species of waterfowl (Anseriformes). 

AUSTRALIA

1. Plumed Whistling-duck, Dendrocygna eytoni
2. Blue-billed Duck, Oxyura australis
3. Musk Duck, Biziura lobata
4. Pink-eared Duck, Malacorhynchus membranaceus
5. Freckled Duck, Stictonetta naevosa
6. Cape Barren Goose, Cereopsis novaehollandiae
7. Black Swan, Cygnus atratus
8. Maned Duck, Chenonetta jubata
9. Hardhead, Aythya australis
10. Chestnut Teal, Anas castanea

Above: Freckled duck (male), Stictonetta naevosa (J. Harteman, WWT Slimbridge, 2013)

NEW ZEALAND

1. Paradise Shelduck, Tadorna variegata
2. Blue Duck, Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
3. New Zealand Scaup, Aythya novaeseelandiae
4. Brown Teal, Anas chlorotis
5. Auckland Teal, Anas aucklandica
6. Campbell Teal, Anas nesiotis

Above: Paradise shelduck (female), Tadorna variegata (J. Harteman, private collection, 2009)

MADAGASCAR

1. Madagascar Pochard, Aythya innotata
2. Meller's Duck, Anas melleri
3. Madagascar Teal, Anas bernieri

Above: Meller's duck, Anas melleri (J. Harteman, private collection, 2009)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

1. Hawaiian Goose, Branta sandvicensis
2. Laysan Duck, Anas laysanensis
3. Hawaiian Duck, Anas wyvilliana

ARGENTINA

1. White-headed Steamerduck, Tachyeres leucocephalus

ETHIOPIA

1. Blue-winged Goose, Cyanochen cyanoptera

FALKLAND ISLANDS

1. Falkland Steamerduck, Tachyeres brachypterus

FRENCH SOUTHERN TERRITORIES

1. Southern Pintail, Anas eatoni

PHILIPPINES

1. Philippine Duck, Anas luzonica

Reference

Lynx Edicions - Checklist of the One-country Endemic Birds of the World