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Psilos Wildfowl Photography |
Tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) |
This is a relatively common duck though they are
generally to be found more on quite large areas of water. These are
diving ducks that eat vegetation off the bottom so the lake needs to
be neither too shallow, too deep nor too young. This is a beautiful
little duck. We have one or two pairs that breed on the local country
park lake in summer. In winter larger flocks can be seen on open water.
The male is very distinctive though the female is pretty easy to recognise
too, as she displays the tuft too. Size 41-45cm (16-17in) |
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A leucisitc Tufted duck ( below) This means
a plumage with an abnormal amount of white pigmentation in the feathers. |
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Breeding populations of
this duck are increasing in England. Fairhaven lake on the north west
coast has a thriving population and many ducklings were reared this
year (2006) |
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