Tufted Duck

Scientific Name: Aythya fuligula

Classification: Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae

A small diving duck with a distinctive ponytail-like crest on the back of its head, often seen in large groups on open water.

Region of Origin: Palearctic
Typical Sighting Period: Year-round in temperate Europe; winter visitor in the south
Plumage Details: Adult males are black with white flanks and a distinct pendant crest. Females are dark brown with paler flanks and a smaller crest.
Ecological Significance: Helps control populations of aquatic invertebrates and acts as a food source for larger predators and raptors.
Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN); stable population
Observation Tips: Look for them in deep water bodies where they can dive; they are often found in urban park lakes and are relatively comfortable near humans.

Length: 40-47 cm; Wingspan: 67-73 cm; Weight: 500-1000 g

Omnivorous, mainly eating mollusks, aquatic insects, and some plants, obtained by diving.

Lakes, ponds, slow-moving rivers, and sometimes coastal lagoons and marshes.

Migratory and resident; northern populations move south to temperate regions of Europe and Asia for winter.

Mostly silent, but the male has a soft whistling 'wit-oo' and the female a harsh 'karr'.

Nests on the ground near water, often in dense vegetation or on islands; lays 6-14 greenish eggs.

The drooping head tuft (crest), bright yellow eyes, and high-contrast white flanks on the male.

Greater Scaup (lacks crest, has gray back), Ring-necked Duck (peaked head shape, gray sides).

They can dive to depths of up to several meters and are known to occasionally nest in colonies with gulls for protection.