International Journal of Marine Science 2016, Vol.6, No.43, 1-13
11
5- Shelduck
Tadorna tadorna
The Shelduck
Tadorna tadorna
is swimmer bird, but breed on Ask, Espir, Kabodan and Arezo Island during wet
year. Breeding population varied between 1000-5000 pairs during 1957-2001.In the recent years especially in
2015, the breeding population were less than 50 pairs.
6-White Headed Duck
Oxyura leucocephala
The White Headed Duck is a globally threatened (Vulnerable) species and protected in Iran. The main breeding
habitats of the species were Gopi-baba-Ali and Kaniborazan wetlands at south of Lake Uromia. Breeding
population of White Headed duck varied between 3to 5 pairs until 2001, but there were not breeding population in
the wetlands in 2015.
Sensitive Habitats for Breeding Species
The sensitive habitats for six breeding species in Lake Uromia were, Kabodan, Ashk, Espir, Arezo and Dugouzlar
Islands. All breeding population of White Pelican and main breeding population of Greater Flamingo were bred on
Dugouzlar island, Shellduck and main breeding population two gulls species were bred on Ask, Espir, Kabodan
and Arezo islands. In 2015 the south of lake Uromia dried complete and the depth of north of part of the lake
reduced less than one meter (Jaica 2015). All of the islands located in south part of lake in the dried part, and, all
the islands connected to the dry ecosystem on around of lake. They were not islands and not suitable habitats for
waterbirds breeding population in 2015. For this reason, the breeding population of breeding species destroyed
completely in 2015.
Key Species of Birds of Lake Uromia
The Lake Uromia ecosystem is extremely important for globally and regionally threatened species or those that 1%
or more population of species wintering or breeding in lake Uromia (Table 4).
Conclusion
Before drying Lake Uromia, 102 small and large islands, coasts and wetlands at south part of Lake Uromia were
suitable habitats for wintering, passage and breeding population of waterbirds and terrestrial birds. The
Dughouzlar islands were extremely important for breeding
Pelecanus onocrotalus
(50-3500 pairs). The Ashk,
Dugouzlar , Espir, Arezo islands were important for breeding
Phoenicopterus ruber
(15000-100000 pairs),
Egretta
garzetta
(40-90 pairs),
Plegadis falcinellus
(40-100+pairs),
Tadorna tadorna
(3000-5000 pairs),
Tadorna
ferruginea (100-500 pairs),
Larus armenicus
(5000-8000pairs),
Larus genei
(3000-5000 pairs. The wetlands and
coasts of southern part of Lake Uromia were extremely important for breeding
Anser anser
(3-5pairs),
Marmaroneta angustristris
(10-25pairs),
Aythya nyroca
(3-11pairs),
Himantopus himantopus
(200-500 pairs, table
(2). The Pelicans, Gulls, Spoonbills, Little Egret, and many of the flamingos breed on a group of small islands
near the south end of the lake, and flight to the extensive brackish and freshwater wetlands on the plain to the
south of the lake to feed (Argyle 1975, Scott 1995). Compound of birds community in Lake Uromia were
waterbirds 24%, Terresterial birds 54% and wading and wader 22%. The birds of Lake Uromia include, 9% Filter
feeder (Plankton eaters), Benthos eaters 20%, Omnivorous 5% Carnivorous 19%, Herbivorous 22%, fish eating
birds 6% and insectivorous 19% (Table 1and2). Savege (1964) surveyed the lake in 1960 and found only about
100 non-breeding flamingos; he located some old nest-mounds, and speculated that flamingos had bred in the past.
However, some 10000 to12000 birds were found breeding in 1965 and 1966, and in 1970, there were an estimated
40000 birds at the colony (Scott 1995 and 2001). Aerial censuses of the breeding colonies in 1971 and 1972
indicated 15000-20000 pairs in both years, with an additional 5000-10000, non-breeding present (Scott 1995 and
2001). Flamingos are known to have bred in large number at Lake Uromia every year since then, and number
appear to be increasing slightly, with perhaps as many as 100000 breeding pairs before drying the lake. After
hatching, the chicks gather together in large crèches and swim to the south end of the lake to feed in the extensive
shallows. Most other species of waterfowl breed on the mudflats surrounding the lake or in the extensive fresh to
brackish marshes at the main river mouths. The vast mudflats surrounding the lake were the most important
