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page.Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligula
The tufted duck was originally a native of northern and northeastern Europe, whence it spread to western and central Europe and where it is now in many places one of the commonest ducks. The populations of western and northwestern Europe are resident, those of other parts are migrant. Scandinavian populations often winter in central Europe on large rivers that do not freeze over, even in large cities, but the tufted duck's main winte_r quarters are the shores of western Europe, particularly England but also the Mediterranean area. The birds return to their breeding grounds from mid-March to April, settling on stagnant water as well as slow-flowing water courses bordered with thick vegetation. They are partial to stretches of water with small islets, on which they like to build their nests. This task is performed by the female from May to July. The nest itself is a small hollow in the ground. Six to 12 eggs are incubated by the female alone, usually for 24 to 26 days. About 12 hours after they have hatched, the black ducklings are led out onto the water by the duck. At seven weeks they are already capable of flight. The diet consists mostly of animal food - crustaceans, molluscs, insects, their larvae and other invertebrates. It also feeds on vegetable matter, such as seeds, and pieces of aquatic plants. The tufted duck usually dives to depths of 2 to 3 metres.
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