The tufted duck, or tufted pochard, is a small diving duck with a population approaching one million birds. The males are striking with their black plumage contrasted by white flanks and a blue-grey bill, crowned with a distinctive tuft on the back of the head. Their eyes are a remarkable gold-yellow. Females, on the other hand, are cloaked in brown with paler flanks and may have some white around the bill base, though not as pronounced as in scaup species.
When identifying the tufted duck, look for the male's black body, white sides, and the namesake tuft on the back of the head. Females are more subdued in color but can be distinguished by their brown plumage and paler sides. Both sexes share a similar structure and size, with an average length of 43.2 cm and a wingspan that ranges from 19.4 to 21.2 cm.
These ducks favor marshes and lakes with abundant vegetation, which provides cover for nesting. They are also found in coastal lagoons, along shorelines, and in sheltered ponds.
The tufted duck breeds across temperate and northern Eurasia. In winter, they migrate to milder regions in the south and west of Europe, southern Asia, and are year-round residents in the British Isles. They have been known to appear as winter visitors along the coasts of the United States and Canada and have been spotted as far afield as Melbourne, Australia.
Tufted ducks are gregarious outside of the breeding season, forming large flocks on open water. They are migratory in much of their range, seeking out the milder climates during the colder months.
The female tufted duck emits a harsh, growling "karr" mostly in flight, while the male is generally silent but may produce a simple "wit-oo" whistle during courtship.
These ducks nest near marshes and lakes where dense vegetation can conceal their nests from potential predators.