White-headed Duck
Oxyura leucocephala
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À propos
A stiff-tailed duck (~705 g) of family Anatidae, males with a distinctive white head and swollen blue bill. Breeds on brackish and freshwater lakes in Spain and Central Asia; winters in Mediterranean and Central Asian wetlands. Dives for aquatic vegetation and invertebrates. Endangered due to hunting, hybridization with introduced Ruddy Duck, and wetland loss.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Envergure | 29,7 cm | 11.7 in |
| Poids | 705,0 g | 24.87 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Male has entirely white head with small black crown patch, rich chestnut-brown body, and large bulbous powder-blue bill. Female is brown with pale whitish face divided by dark streak across cheeks; bill grey.
Habitat & Range
Répartition géographique
Breeds in Spain, Turkey, central Asia, and Mongolia. Winters in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and northern India. Globally endangered.
Diet & Feeding
Dives for aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant roots in Mediterranean and Central Asian wetlands. Critically threatened species.
Statut de conservation
Comportement et reproduction
Nidification
Nest type: PL,O. Incubation: 22-26 days. Fledging: 60-70 days.
Taille de la couvée
3-10
Son
Chant
Male produces a mechanical, rapid bill-drumming; female gives a harsh, grating quack. The drumming staccato display is the same pattern as other Oxyura stiff-tails; heard on Eurasian steppe lakes.
Taxonomie
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Ordre | Anseriformes (Waterfowl) |
| Famille | Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans) |
| Genus | Oxyura |
| Espèces | Oxyura leucocephala |
Distribution
White-headed Duck has been recorded in 9 countries.
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External Databases
Foire aux questions
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Anatidae family