Birds · Anseriformes · Anatidae

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligula

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

It is a key species in avian influenza surveillance: unlike the mallard it suffers heavy mortality during outbreaks, which makes it a sentinel species for researchers.

Weight

550 g – 900 g

Size

40 cm – 47 cm

Lifespan

15 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Herd

Lives in large groups as a strategy against predators.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

FreshwaterOmnivore Diurnal In herds Bird Freshwater

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Fun facts

It serves as a sentinel species in avian influenza surveillance.
Its striking tuft of feathers at the nape is more pronounced in the male.
One ringed bird reached a record 45.2 years.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - pneumatised bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Well-vegetated freshwater lakes, reservoirs and ponds across much of Eurasia, wintering on coastal lagoons
Birth weight: 28 - 31 grams
Size at birth: Precocial, able to follow its parents and feed itself soon after hatching
Sexual maturity: 1 year
Gestation / incubation: 25-27 days
Litter / clutch size: 6 to 14 eggs per clutch

Sources consulted: AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); Animal Diversity Web; California Species Project; Animalia.bio; bioRxiv (genome tufted duck study); Wikipedia (Tufted duck); Birds of the World