About the White-headed Duck
The white-headed duck is a small diving duck some 45 cm (18 in) long. The male has a white head with black crown, a blue bill, and reddish-grey plumage. The female has a dark bill and rather duller colouring. Its breeding habitat is lakes with open water and dense vegetation at the margin. It dives under water and feeds on aquatic vegetation as well as some animal matter. It is more likely to swim away from a perceived threat than to fly. This duck is known from Spain, North Africa, Western Asia and Central Asia. Populations are declining, mostly due to loss of habitat and pollution, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated the bird's status as "endangered".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Adult males have a grey and reddish body, a blue bill and a largely white head with a black cap and neck. Adult females have a grey-brown body with a white face and a darker bill, cap, and cheek stripe. Length is 43–48 cm (17–19 in) and weight is 580–750 g (1.28–1.65 lb).
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Netherlands, Switzerland, India, Czechia.
When to see it
Peak activity in April · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Lake DuckOxyura vittataThe lake duck grows to 36–46 centimetres (14–18 in).
Blue-billed DuckOxyura australisThe tail feathers for both the male and female are made up of thick, spine-like shafts.
Maccoa DuckOxyura maccoaAs members of the stiff-tailed duck group, Maccoas are often found wading in the water with their tail feathers cocked upwards.
Learn the White-headed Duck for real
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