Aythya fuligula - Tufted Duck
Feather characters. Barbules are short (0.7-0.9 mm) and internodes may contain very lightly stippled pigment. Triangular nodes are located on distal end, covering less than 30% of the total barbule length. On proximal end, nodal structures are visible but undeveloped and hardly swollen, and thus too small to qualify as nodes (16-17 per mm). An abrupt increase in size of nodes is seen distally along the barbules. In a very few cases triangular nodes may not be present. Villi are absent and internodes are occasionally kinked. Prongs are mostly located on distal end of barbules, on both sides of the pennulum. Occasionally minute prongs may be found proximal to triangular nodes. Their length varies but the longest prongs may reach a length between half and the entire length of the adjacent internode.
Field characters. Size 40-47 cm. Weight 694 g (400-950) (Dunning, 1993). In male pure white flanks and belly contrast boldly with black of rest of plumage; long, black, pendant crest at back of head, but not always obvious at a distance. Female dark brown on upperparts, reddish brown on cheeks and neck; flanks and sides yellow-brown, belly red-brown, and breast dark brown flecked with yellow-brown; crest rudimentary. In winter, female has white belly and white patch around base of bill (but never as large as female Greater Scaup's). Bill slate-blue with black tip, legs grey-blue. Both sexes have broad, white band along entire length of hind wing in flight. Juvenile and male in eclipse resemble female.
Voice. Female produces a harsh, growling "kur-r-r, kur-r-r"; male has a low whistle in the breeding season.
Distribution. Locally common breeding bird which still increases in numbers in the western part of Europe. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Frequents open or more enclosed fresh waters of medium size and favours islets for breeding. In winter on inlets, sheltered sea coasts, reservoirs and lakes.
Food. Obtains food mainly from bottom by diving up to 3 m. Diet varies with locality, year, and season. Omnivorous, gregarious, and diurnal, usually preying on molluscs, crustaceans, insects, but plant material may be taken in considerable quantity.