Tufted duck ? (1 Viewer)

[Michał Jaro]

Hi - these ducks I saw couple of days ago , Poland Podhale.
Are they it Tufted ducks, or some hybrids ?

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Michal,

yes both look like pure Tufted Ducks for me too.

The basic-type bird might well be a 1cy female by darkish, muddy eye colour and uniform darkish bill lacking the pale blueish tinge and the contrasting inked tip of many adult females. But I am not sure of variation.

 

[Michał Jaro]

Another one - with ashy sides (right side of picture)

 

[Michał Jaro]

Thanks Alex ! What about head shape, lack of tuft?
I watched them for a long time - at no moment was visible.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello again Michal,

please note that juvenile Tufted Duck can (appearantly) lack any, even the slightest indication of a tuft, even at close range.

For the second bird: ashy (or brownish) hues in the white flank patch is normal for an eclipse male Tufted Duck. And are regular during the whole year.

Here is a male Tufted Duck x Common Pochard for comparison (Gernsheim, Germany, 08.02.2012)