Waterbird Wednesday week 19: Tufted and Ring-necked Ducks
The Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) is a common bird in the UK, with around 17'000 breeding pairs and a winter population of 110'000 individuals. On the other hand, the Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) is a North American species, classed as a 'scarce migrant' in the UK with a handful of records each year.
Tufted Duck
UK birders will be very familiar with this species, as they are a common sight on waterbodies. As far as overall shape is concerned, the head is far rounder than in Ring-necked Duck.
Adult male
A very distinctive plumage. Black with a white patch on the side, orange eye and a glossy head with a long tuft, giving the bird it's name. Bill blue with a black tip.
Adult female
Dark brownish, with a light patch on the side. Also has an orange eye. Same bill pattern as adult male. Shorter tuft, and a pale patch at the base of the bill.
Eclipse male
When moulting, the male goes into an eclipse plumage. It loses it's tuft and the white patch on the side becomes browner. The blue bill colour becomes duller, but the orange eye is retained.
Juvenile
very brown looking, without the distinct demarkation of the pale patch seen on females but still with lighter flanks. Eye is a dull colour, and there is a slight pale patch at the bill base.
Ring-necked Duck
A North American species, this is a very good bird to see in the UK. Overall has a different head shape to Tufted Duck, with a peaked crown making the head seem more triangular.
Adult male
Similar to Tufted Duck, however flank patch is light grey with a white band nead the neck of the bird. Lacks tuft of Tufted Duck, and bill pattern has distinctive white bands.
Adult female
Very different to female Tufted. Overall much lighter, especially on the head, with much white on the face and a white band on the flanks near the neck.
Eclipse male
Very brown flanks, with a white bar as in female Ring-necked. White at the base of the bill not seen in eclipse Tufted.
1st-winter male
Very similar to eclipse male.
Juvenile
Similar to female Ring-necked, with less white markings and a darker neck and cap.
