Tufted Duck

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Tufted Duck in the UK

A common resident and winter visitor. Around 18,000 pairs breed in the UK and about 140,000 birds are present in winter, when arrivals from Iceland and northern Europe join the residents. Breeding numbers rose by 9% between 1995 and 2024. Wintering numbers fell by 21% between 1998 and 2023, which may reflect more birds staying on the Continent in milder winters. The species is on the Green list. It spread across Britain in the last century as gravel pits and reservoirs were created.

Where and when to see a Tufted Duck

Lakes, reservoirs, gravel pits, slow rivers and town park ponds across lowland Britain and Ireland, in any month. It prefers open water one to several metres deep. Big winter flocks form on large reservoirs and on Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland. Ducklings appear late, mostly in June and July. Park lakes give the closest views, as birds there are used to people.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Lakes, reservoirs.
Diet: Molluscs, plants.
Field note: Black-and-white with floppy crest.

How to identify a Tufted Duck

Smaller and more compact than a Mallard. The male is black with gleaming white flanks, a yellow eye and a thin crest that droops from the back of the head. The bill is blue-grey with a black tip. The female is chocolate brown with paler flanks, a shorter tuft and sometimes a little white around the bill base. Both show a long white wing bar in flight. It dives often, with a small jump, and pops back up like a cork.

Call and song

Mostly quiet. Females give a low, growling 'karr' in flight. Displaying males make a soft, bubbling whistle that is hard to hear at any distance. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Greater Scaup: Scaup is bigger with a rounded head and no tuft, the male has a pale grey back, and the female has a broad white blaze around the bill.
• Ring-necked Duck: Male Ring-necked Duck has a peaked head, grey flanks with a white spur at the front and white bands on the bill.
• Common Pochard: Male Pochard has a chestnut head and pale grey body, and the female is grey-brown with a pale face and no yellow eye.

Related guide UK winter wildfowl.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Tufted Duck is a Common tier bird, worth +1 point when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Where to see it

Reserves where the Tufted Duck is on the list:

• Rutland Water

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Common PochardUncommon · Reservoirs
• CanvasbackLegendary · Lakes (extreme vagrant)
• Ferruginous DuckRare · Lakes (very rare vagrant)
• Lesser ScaupRare · Reservoirs (vagrant)
• RedheadLegendary · Lakes (extreme vagrant)
• Ring-necked DuckRare · Lakes (winter vagrant)

Tufted Duck: quick answers

What does a Tufted Duck eat?

Mostly freshwater mussels and snails, picked from the bottom on dives. Zebra mussels are an important food on many reservoirs. It also takes insect larvae and some water plants and seeds.

What habitat does Tufted Duck live in?

Still or slow fresh water with enough depth to dive in. It nests in thick vegetation close to the bank, often on islands. In hard weather some move to sheltered estuaries and harbours.

What is the difference between Tufted Duck and Scaup?

Scaup is mainly a sea duck in the UK, while Tufted Duck stays on fresh water. A male Tufted has a black back and a crest. A male Scaup has a grey back and a smooth, rounded head. Female Tufted Ducks with white at the bill cause most mistakes, so check head shape and size.

Kit that helps

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