Learn what every symbol on the card means.Full credits and sources at beakbrain.com/symbols
WetlandPlatform nestLarge · 1.0 kg
ID tip
The crested duck is a medium-sized waterfowl species, with adult males reaching up to just over a kilogram. Males and females look similar, with males having a slightly more prominent crest than females. The feathers of the mantle, back and scapulars are dark brown with pale centers, giving a mottled appearance. The abdomen, flanks and tail coverts are light gray, with the tail itself being distinctly elongated and black. The upperwing is gray brown to light brown, with the secondaries having an iridescent coppery to greenish sheen, with a broad back band behind, narrowly edged with white.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Crested Duck
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 11 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is November, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Crested Duck
The map shades 5 countries with regular records, and 3 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Belgium, United States, United Kingdom.
About the Crested Duck
The crested duck or South American crested duck is a species of duck native to South America, belonging to the monotypic genus Lophonetta. It is sometimes included in Anas, but it belongs to a South American clade that diverged early in dabbling duck evolution. There are two subspecies: L. specularioides alticola and L. specularioides specularioides. The Patagonian crested duck is also called the southern crested duck and its range lies in the Falklands, Chile, and Argentina.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Knob-billed DuckSarkidiornis melanotosThis common species is unmistakable.
Cotton Pygmy GooseNettapus coromandelianusSmall individuals of this species are the smallest waterfowl on earth, at as little as 160 g (5.6 oz) and 26 cm (10 in).
Musk DuckBiziura lobataAdult males are 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28 in) long and have a distinctive large, leathery lobe underneath the bill; females are 47 to 55 cm (19 to 22 in) long and unadorned.
Side by side: Crested Duck vs Musk Duck · Crested Duck vs Knob-billed Duck · Cotton Pygmy Goose vs Crested Duck
Learn the Crested Duck in the BeakBrain App
Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.
Play today's Daily BirdEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.