Observations on the breeding ecology of Red-Crested Pochard Netta rufina (Pallas, 1773) from the new breeding range from Türkiye

The new breeding site for Red-crested Pochards identified between March-July 2025 period, in a few small ponds near Devegeçidi Dam area in Diyarbakır province, Türkiye. The studied area is constituted from four shallow freshwater ponds (38° 03’ 16” N, 39° 59’ 47” E) that located within the borders of the Devegeçidi Dam. The water depth varies but it is generally less than 100 cm in these ponds. There is a rich macrophytes that submerged and on the water surface, and also there are reed areas in the surroundings of breeding area. According to observations, species arrive to the nesting area at the end of March and breeding activity lasts to end of July. Ornithological observations performed in the area and maximum 9 individuals including five ducklings, have been recorded. Thus, both reporting new breeding site of the species and contributing knowledge to the ecology of species were provided. In addition, the importance of shallow small ponds in this format, which is form the basis of the species’ existence in the region, was emphasized. Also, population assessment is suggested by an ornithological study to determine the exact size of breeding population in the wetland areas for conservation of the Red-crested Pochards in Türkiye.