Aythya fuligula (Linnaeus, 1758) · chochlačka vrkočatá · Tufted Duck

Distribution

It breeds in temperate and northern Eurasia and winters farther south, often inland. In Slovakia it is a regular breeder on suitable waters and one of the commonest diving ducks during migration and winter. Year-round presence at a site may nevertheless involve a succession of local and visiting birds.

Habitat

It uses fishponds, lakes, gravel pits and reservoirs, requiring vegetation on banks or islands for breeding. In winter it also frequents large rivers. It often forms mixed flocks with Common Pochards and other waterbirds, especially on safe resting waters.

Breeding

The female nests in ground vegetation close to water, often on an island. She incubates and leads the ducklings, which learn to dive very early. Quiet overgrown margins provide cover for both the clutch and small young.

Food

It mainly takes molluscs, aquatic insects and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates, also eating seeds and other plant material according to local availability.

Interesting fact

The tuft is not equally conspicuous at all times. It is shorter in females and can become hard to see when a bird rests or its feathers are wet, so identification should not depend solely on an obvious crest.

Sources: Slovak Wikipedia · English Wikipedia · BTO BirdFacts