Species Profile

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligula

Tufted Duck

Quick Facts

Conservation

LCLeast Concern

Lifespan

4 years^[4]

Length

40–47 cm

Weight

550–1200 g

Wingspan

67–73 cm

Migration

Partial migrant

A distinctive diving duck with a sleek black body and a hair-like tuft of feathers crowning its head.

Also known as: Tufted Scaup, Tufted Pochard

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Appearance

The Tufted Duck is a distinctive diving duck with a compact body and a small, peaked head.

Males sport glossy black plumage on the head, neck, and upper body, contrasting sharply with bright white flanks. The signature feature is a long, drooping crest at the rear of the head. Their dark plumage has a beautiful oily iridescence that reflects purple and green in good light.

Females are predominantly chocolate-brown with paler flanks and a smaller crest. Both sexes have golden-yellow eyes and a blue-grey bill with a black tip. Juveniles resemble females but with duller plumage, darker eyes and bills.

Identification & Characteristics

Male Colors

Primary: Black
Secondary: Purple
Beak: Blue
Legs: Grey

Female Colors

Primary: Brown
Secondary: White
Beak: Grey
Legs: Grey

Female Markings

Darker brown back, paler brown flanks, white belly

Attributes

Agility85/100

Strength60/100

Adaptability75/100

Aggression40/100

Endurance80/100

Understanding Attributes

Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Habitat & Distribution

Tufted Ducks inhabit a wide range of freshwater habitats, including lakes, reservoirs, and slow-flowing rivers. They prefer areas with abundant aquatic vegetation and depths suitable for diving. During breeding, they favour shallow, vegetated wetlands.

The species breeds across northern Eurasia and winters in southern Europe, southern Asia, and parts of Africa. In the UK, it is a year-round resident, but its numbers increase in winter due to migrants from northern Europe.

Distribution

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Where to See This Bird

Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.

United Kingdom

England

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales

Rutland

Cambridgeshire

Bedfordshire

Buckinghamshire

Berkshire

Cheshire

Cumbria

Cornwall

Derbyshire

Devon

Dorset

Durham

East Riding of Yorkshire

Essex

East Sussex

Gloucestershire

Hampshire

Herefordshire

ResidentJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Hertfordshire

Isle of Wight

Kent

Merseyside

Lancashire

London

Leicestershire

Lincolnshire

Manchester

Northumberland

Norfolk

Northamptonshire

Nottinghamshire

North Yorkshire

Oxfordshire

South Yorkshire

Tyne and Wear

West Midlands

Suffolk

Shropshire

Somerset

Surrey

Staffordshire

Stockton-on-Tees

Warwickshire

Wiltshire

West Yorkshire

Worcestershire

West Sussex

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Diet

Tufted Ducks primarily feed on aquatic invertebrates, especially molluscs, snails and mussels, and insect larvae. They also consume small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic plants.

Their diet varies seasonally, with more plant matter consumed during winter months when invertebrates are scarce. These diving ducks find most of their food down on the bottom, although they also dabble and take food from the surface.

Behaviour

Tufted Ducks are highly social, often forming large flocks on open water. They are excellent divers, plunging to depths of up to 14 meters to forage for food; however, 5 metres is more common.

During courtship, males perform head-throws and neck-stretching displays to attract females.

Calls & Sounds

Tufted Ducks are generally quiet, but males produce a soft, wheezing whistle during courtship, often described as 'wit-oo'. Females have a harsh, grating 'karr' call, typically used when alarmed or to communicate with ducklings. In flight, their wings produce a distinctive whistling sound.

Nesting & Breeding

Tufted Ducks form pairs during late winter and spring. Breeding typically occurs from May to July, with timing varying based on latitude. Females select nest sites close to water, often on small islands or in dense vegetation. They nest alone or in small groups with several meters between them.

The nest is a shallow scrape on the ground, lined with down and plant material. Females lay 8-11 olive-buff or grey-green eggs and incubate them for 23-28 days. Males usually depart once incubation begins.

Ducklings are precocial, leaving the nest within 24 hours of hatching. They can dive and feed independently but remain with the female for protection for about 45-50 days until fledging.

Conservation

While currently listed as Least Concern, Tufted Ducks face threats from habitat loss and degradation of wetlands. Climate change may affect their breeding and wintering ranges.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring wetland habitats across their range.

LCLeast Concern

^[1]

Population

Estimated: 2,600,000 - 2,900,000 individuals^[3]

Trend: Stable^[2]

Elevation

Up to 2,000 meters

Additional Details

Predators:: Main predators include large gulls, pike, and mammals such as foxes and mink, which primarily target eggs and young ducklings.

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Tufted Ducks on large, deep lakes and reservoirs
Observe their diving behaviour, as they submerge for 15-30 seconds at a time
In the UK, check coastal areas during winter for large congregations
Listen for the soft whistling call of males during the breeding season

Did You Know?

Tufted Ducks can dive to depths of up to 14 meters in search of food, although most dive to 5 metres.
Their population has expanded westward in Europe over the past century.
They are one of the few duck species that regularly breed in urban parks.
They have been recorded living over 45 years in the wild.