Tufted Duck

Irish Name: Lacha bhadánach
Scientific name: Aythya fuligula
Bird Family: Ducks
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Conservation status

Status

Resident & winter visitor. Birds breeding in southeast England have been seen to move to Ireland, possibly influenced by cold weather.

Identification

Small and short-bodied, with large head and crest which is longer in breeding males than other plumages or females. Males with black plumage, white flanks, yellow eye and blue-grey bill. Females largely brown with paler flanks, resembles Scaup, especially with some showing extensive white band around the base of the bill.

Voice

Display call described as nervous, quick, bubbly series of accelerating notes

Diet

Feed predominantly on mussels, and to a lesser extent on crustaceans, insect larvae (particularly caddis-fly) and bryozoans.

Breeding

Show a preference for large open lakes in lowland areas, where nests are built in waterside vegetation. Many nests in close proximity to each other.

Wintering

Lowland freshwater lakes. Often seen on town lakes, canals and slow-moving rivers.

Monitored by

Irish Wetland Bird Survey.

Similar Species

Scaup

Irish Name:
Lacha iascán
Scientific name:
Anas marila
Bird Family:
Ducks