May18th Tufted Ducks

Walking round the park I noticed a pair of Tufted Ducks on the Lake.

The tufted duck is a medium-sized diving duck, smaller than a mallard. It is black on the head, neck, breast and back and white on the sides. It has a small crest and a yellow eye. In flight it shows an obvious white stripe across the back of the wing. It breeds in the UK across lowland areas of England, Scotland and Ireland, but less commonly in Wales, with most birds being residents. Numbers increase in the UK in winter because of birds moving to the UK from Iceland and northern Europe.

Illustrations

Overview

Latin name

Aythya fuligula

Family

Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)

Where to see them

Found across the UK at most times of year. Look in suitable habitat such as a local reservoir, gravel pit or lake.

When to see them

All year round.

What they eat

Molluscs, insects and some plants.

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