Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligula
Aves › Anseriformes › Anatidae › Aythya
Conservation status: least_concern
The tufted duck is a small diving duck with a population of nearly one million birds, found in northern Eurasia. They are partially migratory. The scientific name is derived from Ancient Greek aithuia, an unidentified seabird mentioned by authors such as Hesychius and Aristotle, and Latin fuligo 'soot' and gula 'throat'. It is a game bird.
How To Identify
The male is easily identifiable by his dark slate-grey body and dramatic, erectile crest that forms a striking crown of feathers.
Habitat
It inhabits freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and coastal waters across the Northern Hemisphere and parts of Africa, preferring open water bodies with good aquatic vegetation.
Behaviour
Tufted Ducks are highly gregarious and often form large flocks, particularly outside the breeding season, and they are excellent divers that spend much of their time underwater feeding.
Native Range
The tufted duck breeds throughout temperate and northern Eurasia.
Did You Know?
Male Tufted Ducks produce a distinctive purring call during courtship, and both sexes can dive to impressive depths of up to 14 meters to forage for aquatic invertebrates and plants. Their striking white-and-black plumage in males makes them one of Europe's most recognizable diving ducks.
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