Rare Sighting: White-headed Duck at Schinias National Park, Dec 2024.
Birding enthusiasts in Athens were thrilled by the rare sighting of a White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) at Schinias National Park, during December 2024! This remarkable observation is extraordinary for the Athens region and southern Greece, where this species is seldom recorded. Typically, White-headed Ducks are seen in Greece during winter at Lake Vistonida in Northern Greece, making this an exciting find for local and visiting birders.
White-headed Duck at Schinias National Park, Dec 2024
(Photo: L.Stavrakas)
About the White-headed Duck
The White-headed Duck is a small, stiff-tailed diving duck found across a fragmented range. Its global distribution spans parts of Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia, with populations extending into the Indian subcontinent.
Globally, the White-headed Duck is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
In Europe, the species has strongholds in Spain, where conservation efforts have successfully increased their numbers. Small populations persist in the Balkans and Turkey. In Greece, sightings are rare and mostly confined to northern wetlands in winter.
White-headed Duck (right), next to a Ferruginous Duck
Schinias National Park, Dec 2024
(Photo: L.Stavrakas)
A Unique Experience at Schinias, Maratho
Schinias National Park, with its extensive wetlands, continues to surprise birders with such exciting rarities. This recent sighting highlights the park's importance as a refuge for migratory and overwintering waterfowl.
If you’d like to explore Greece’s rich birdlife and maybe catch a glimpse of your own rare sighting, book a tour with Greece Bird Tours today!
