Tufted Ducks

 Tufted Ducks


Tufted Ducks can be seen on both upper and lower lakes at Corkagh throughout the year.  In winter their numbers are boosted by the arrival of migrants from colder northern climates.

Male Tufted Duck

They get their name from the tuft of feathers, which look almost like a pony tail, on the back of the males  head.  The male is almost black while the females are a chocolate brown.  Both have striking yellow eyes and a blue beak.

Female Tufted Duck

The female builds her nest on dry ground, hidden by rushes or lakeside vegetation. Occasionally, she will sneakily lay an egg in another nest, usually another Tufted Duck but very occasionally a Mallards nest. 



Successful breeding rarely takes place at Corkagh however.  This may be because of increased predation by foxes, herons or seagulls or because, in summer, there are simply fewer Tufted Ducks.

This looks like three females but the duck on the left might actually be male in moult.

The Tufted Duck feeds on the insects that live in mud beneath the lakes water. 


Both males and females moult during the summer months and during this period they are unable to fly. The male loses his black colouring and 'pony tail' and looks similar to the female.  To stay safe they will remain in the centre of the pond and should a predatory bird appear they will use their excellent diving skills to evade capture. 


While Tufted Ducks are primarily insect eaters they will take bread occasionally. When juveniles are fed a diet consisting of a lot of bread the high calory intake together with a lack of proper nutrients leads to wing deformity rendering the bird permanently flightless. 

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