The Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) is a diving duck that is closely related to the Scaup. These pictures were taken at Slimbridge, a famous wildfowl reserve in Gloustershire, UK.
Tufted Ducks can always be found over much of the southern UK, but their numbers increase significantly during the winter. The breeding population is about 16,000 pairs, but there may be as many as 120,000 individual birds present in the winter. Interestingly, some of the UK breeding birds as themselves migratory, and spend the northern winter in Spain and Portugal. This movement is most noticeable in cold winters in the UK.
The individual in these pictures is a male.
As ever, to join in with WBW, click on the link below. Cheers SM
Thank you Stewart. I always look forward to our get together every week. Aloha
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI do like the Tufties! Great shots as always. YAM xx
Always looks a very clean duck to me Stewart Thnaks for hosting and commenting. hope you have a good week ahead
ReplyDeleteThey look so fashionable in their crisp black and white! A lovely duck.
ReplyDeleteVery defined markings, Stewart..Pretty Duck..nice pictures...I have no birdies to share.
ReplyDeletepretty duck.... love colors combine.
ReplyDeleteI must get to Slimbridge next time I'm in that area.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of the Tufted Duck!
ReplyDeleteEvery few years a Tufted Duck seems to somehow find its way to Lake Ontario where it causes great excitement among the twitchers and listers.
ReplyDeleteWow, they do look like scaup! I have a heck of a time telling the scaups apart. At least this buy has the tuft to help.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant eye ! (the duck eye and yours too)
ReplyDeleteWe see them here in eastern Canada too. Such beauties!
ReplyDeleteNo, it’s a penguin! Just kidding. These are great.
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning bird!
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