Tufted Duck

This species is defined as a Review Species . Please submit your records of this species via our record submission page .

Scientific Name: Aythya fuligula

Malay Name: Itik-Selam Berjambul

Chinese Name: 凤头潜鸭

Range: Found throughout northern temperate Europe and Asia, wintering to equatorial Africa, Middle East, Indian subcontinent, southern China, Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia.

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 40-47 cm

Identification: Male has mostly blackish plumage with contrasting white flanks, drooping crest, greyish bill with black tip, yellowish eyes and dark purplish-glossed head. Female has rather uniform dull dark brownish plumage with paler lower neck, breast and flanks, squarish head and slight nuchal tuft. Juvenile resembles female but has paler head and upperparts.

Habitat: Lakes, rivers, marshes and various wetland habitats.

Behaviour/Ecology: Seldom flies off when disturbed, preferring to drift out to deeper parts in centre of water body.

Local Status: Very rare vagrant.

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016

Past accepted records in our database:

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

References:

BirdLife International. (2016). Aythya fuligula. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22680391A86013549.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.