Tufted Duck behaviour vs Scaups (1 Viewer)

[jurek]

It may be just me, but I noticed that sleeping males and females Tufted Ducks in a mixed flock with Scaups usually have clearly visible little nape tufts. When Tufted Ducks are with Pochards or themselves, this very often not the case. Anybody has a similar feeling?

It is not always, but I have a feeling that Tufted Ducks themselves want to differentiate in presence of a similar species. Or is it because e.g. Tufted Ducks fluff plumage in exposed waters and the tufts become more visible?

 

[Butty]

I think that if you see more examples of tufted ducks with these and other species you will find that this isn't consistently happening.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Jurek,
interesting observations. Thanks for sharing! I will surely look at Tufted Ducks again more closely.