Tufted duck
Tufted duck Aythya fuligula Castilian: Porrón moñudo Catalan: Morell de plomall Gallego: Pato cristado Euskera: Murgilari mottoduna CLASIFICACIÓN: Orden: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Migratory status: Winter resident CONSERVATION STATUS: In the 2004 edition of the Red Book of Spanish Birds (Libro Rojo de las Aves de España) it is listed as “Not Evaluated”.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. listen song THREATS Loss of habitat due to drying up, pollution or basin clogging are its primary enemies, although hunting also affects it negatively. |
Length / size: 40-47 cm / 65-72 cm Identification: Diving duck that is characterised by a tuft coming out of the nape. The male presents practically black plumage except for his white flanks and belly; his irises are yellow, his bill bluish and black on the tip, and his tuft long. The females are brown and the tuft is significantly shorter. Song: The male makes a sound similar to a gurgle, "gruh gruh", while the female makes a "krkrkrkr" quack. Diet: It feeds on small crustaceans, mollusks, and insects, as well as stalks and aquatic plants that it obtains by diving. Reproduction: The female builds the nest in the ground or on islets where it is protected by vegetation; it is made of grass, twigs and down. The chicks follow the mother immediately after hatching and are cared for exclusively by her. HABITAT During breeding season, it prefers semi-deep waters for diving, such as freshwater lakes, and when wintering, it can be found in rivers, reservoirs, lakes, bays and even ponds in urban parks. DISTRIBUTION In Spain: In winter it is distributed throughout the wetlands of Asturias, Galicia, Extremadura and Castile-La Mancha. In Castile and León: It is distributed throughout all the provinces. Movements and migrations: Migrations from central and northern Europe begin in September, and wintering populations reach the peninsula around October. POPULATION In Spain: There is an estimated population of 2000-6500 wintering specimens. In Castile and León: There is an estimated population of 220 wintering specimens. | |