The Tufted Duck is a striking and easily recognisable diving duck commonly found across the UK. Known for its distinctive tuft of feathers on the head, this bird is a frequent visitor to lakes, reservoirs, and coastal waters. Both males and females exhibit a unique appearance, making them a fascinating species to observe.

How to Identify a Tufted Duck:

• Head (Male): The male has a glossy black head with a prominent tuft of feathers at the back.
• Head (Female): The female has a dark brown head with a smaller tuft, often less pronounced.
• Body (Male): The male’s body is black with white flanks, giving a striking contrast.
• Body (Female): The female’s body is brown with lighter flanks.
• Beak: Both sexes have a grey-blue beak with a black tip.
• Wings: Both sexes show a white wing-bar in flight, but this is more noticeable in males.
• Legs: The legs and feet are grey-blue in both males and females.

Description and Statistics:

• Size: 40-47cm in length.
• Wingspan: 65-72cm.
• Weight: 0.5-1kg.
• Sexual Dimorphism: Males are more vividly coloured with black and white contrast, while females are predominantly brown with less distinct markings. The male’s tuft is also more pronounced.

Breeding, Nesting and Rearing Habits:

• Tufted Ducks are generally monogamous during the breeding season.
• They nest close to water, often in dense vegetation, reeds, or even on floating vegetation mats.
• The female lays a clutch of 8-11 eggs, which she incubates for about 25-28 days.
• Ducklings are precocial and leave the nest soon after hatching, following the mother to water where they begin feeding themselves under her guidance.

The Tufted Duck in the UK:

Tufted Ducks are native to the UK and are resident year-round, with their population bolstered by migrants from northern Europe during the winter. They have successfully adapted to a variety of wetland habitats and can often be seen in both natural and man-made water bodies.


Sources:

• The RSPB: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/tufted-duck/
• The British Trust for Ornithology: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/tufted-duck