White-headed Duck
The White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) is a small stiff-tailed duck.
Adult males have a grey and reddish body, a blue bill and a largely white head with a black cap and neck. Adult females have a grey-brown body with a white face and a darker bill, cap and a cheek stripe. Length is 43–48 cm (17–19 in) and weight is 580–750 g (1.3–1.7 lb).
Adult males have a grey and reddish body, a blue bill and a largely white head with a black cap and neck. Adult females have a grey-brown body with a white face and a darker bill, cap and a cheek stripe. Length is 43–48 cm (17–19 in) and weight is 580–750 g (1.3–1.7 lb).
This duck breeds in Spain and North Africa, with a larger population in western and central Asia. Their breeding habitat is large tracts of open water with dense stands of aquatic plants to provide cover and nesting sites. Individuals are fairly frequently reported well north of their breeding range, but as with many wildfowl the status of these extra-limital records is clouded by the possibility of escapes from collections.
These birds dive and swim underwater. They are omnivorous, with vegetable matter predominating. They are reluctant to fly, preferring to swim for cover.
These birds dive and swim underwater. They are omnivorous, with vegetable matter predominating. They are reluctant to fly, preferring to swim for cover.
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| White-headed Duck |
image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ken_Billington
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| White-headed Duck |
image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferranp/
