Ring-necked Duck
| Irish Name: | Lacha mhuinceach |
| Scientific name: | Aythya collaris |
| Bird Family: | Ducks |
green
Conservation status
Conservation status
Status
A rare but annual winter visitor to wetlands from October to March, almost always associating with flocks of Tufted Duck.
Identification
Very similar to Tufted Duck and care is needed to distinguish the two species. Slightly smaller than Tufted Duck and lacks that species distinctive crest. Adult males can be separated from Tufted Duck by having much greyer flanks with a white vertical stripe, as well as different pattern on the bill (broad white stripe near the tip). Adult females appear quite different to female Tufted Duck, being much paler overall and having an obvious white eyering. Also shows a hint of the obvious vertical white stripe found on the flanks of the male. Juvenile Ring-necked Ducks are similar to females, though the head pattern is not as contrasting and lacks the broad white stripe on the bill.
Voice
Generally silent when seen in Ireland.
Diet
Mainly feeds by diving for freshwater invertebrates (beetles, shrimp). Ring-necked Ducks will also feed on plants, such as pondweeds.
Breeding
Ring-necked Ducks breed in central and northern North America.
Wintering
The species winters south of the breeding grounds in the United States to Central America. Occasionally wanders to Ireland and then can be seen with Tufted Duck on larger lakes. In September/October 2008, a flock of 15 was recorded on Inishmore on the Aran Islands.
Monitored by
Irish Wetland Bird Survey, BirdTrack and the Irish Rare Birds Committee.
Rare but annual vagrant from North America. Often return to the same site for multiple winters.
American species can be seen associating with Tufted Duck flocks in Ireland.
