Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)
All of the species
mentioned so far have been dabbling duck of the genus Anas.
With the tufted duck we come to the first member of the diving
duck genus Aythya which also includes the pochard and the
now-protected scaup. The "tuftie" is very common
on most waters in Britain and occurs both as a breeding species
and as a winter migrant. When in full breeding regalia the
male has a black head, chest, back and tail with pure white
flanks. The head is shot with purple and the chest often seems
to have a greenish tinge. The name of the duck derives from
a drooping black crest which is not normally obvious at a
distance but which, in fact, is fairly long. The bill is blue-grey
with a black tip, the legs are grey and the eye is bright
orange. The female's colouring is less contrasting than the
male, her upperparts being dark brown and the flanks pale
rust. In eclipse the male resembles the female but usually
has lighter flanks. Both the male in eclipse and the female
have a shorter crest than the breeding male. The tufted duck
has a more fluttery flight than the dabbling duck, it is of
small to medium size and the male's colour contrast is sometimes
fairly clear. It rarely quacks in flight.
