Tufted duck

Scientific name: Aythya fuligula

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Male has glossy black head with distinctive drooping crest, white breast and flanks, dark grey back, and yellow eye. Female is brown with paler flanks and smaller crest; dark eye. Both show white wing-bar in flight.

Size and weight

Males 43–47 cm, 600–750 g; females 40–44 cm, 500–650 g.

Habitat

Found on freshwater lakes, reservoirs, gravel pits, and coastal brackish waters with open water and minimal emergent vegetation. Prefers deeper waters than many dabbling ducks, from lowland to moderate upland elevations.

Distribution

Breeds across northern and central Europe and western Asia; winters throughout temperate Europe, the Mediterranean, and western Asia. Increasing population has extended winter range southward and westward.

Diet

Primarily aquatic invertebrates (chironomid larvae, amphipods, snails) obtained by diving; supplemented with aquatic plants, seeds, and grain in winter.

Behaviour

Highly gregarious, especially in winter; forms large mixed-sex flocks. Primarily crepuscular and nocturnal feeder, resting on open water by day. Strong and swift flier despite compact build.

Hunting tips

Look for concentrated groups on larger open water bodies at dawn and dusk. Approach from upwind over land to reach shooting distance; avoid skyline. Decoying is effective where legal—birds respond well to diving duck profiles and call sequences. Practice long-range shots as flocks typically remain well offshore.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 14 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.