White-headed Duck Bird Details
Oxyura leucocephala
White-headed Duck,White-faced Duck, Stifftail Duck;
Safed Sir Wali Batakh
Scopoli, 1769
Anseriformes (DUCKS)
Anatidae
Oxyura
Spain, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India (Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan) and North Africa.
Appearance :
Small, compact duck with a stiff tail often held upright. Males have striking white heads with a blue bill, while females are brownish with a greyish head and a dark cap. The body is chestnut-brown in color, with males being more brightly colored than females.
Behaviour :
Generally solitary or found in small groups. They are known for their diving ability and spend most of their time on the water. They are not very social with other waterfowl.
Habitat :
Prefers shallow, saline or brackish lakes and wetlands with dense vegetation. Often found in marshes and ponds, especially with areas of open water and submerged vegetation.
Diet :
Primarily aquatic invertebrates, especially larvae of insects. Also consumes small amounts of aquatic plants and seeds.
Conservation Status :
Endangered
Distribution :
Found in scattered populations across Spain, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, with some migratory movements towards North Africa and the Indian subcontinent.
Population Size :
Estimated to be less than 10,000 mature individuals
Life Span :
Generally around 10-12 years in the wild.
Body And Tarsus:
- Body: A compact, small-bodied diving duck with stiff tail feathers that are often held upright.
- Tarsus Length: Approximately 30–36 mm.
Head And Bill :
- Head: Males have a distinctive white head with a black crown, while females have a more subdued brownish-grey head with a dark cap.
- Eyes: Dark brown or black in color, with males having striking contrast due to their white heads.
- Bill: Broad, flattened, and spatula-shaped. Males have a bright blue bill during the breeding season, while females have a duller greyish-brown bill.
- Bill Length: Approximately 40–50 mm.
Length :
Overall body length ranges from 43 to 48 cm (17–19 inches).
Neck :
Short and thick, aiding its diving behavior. It is relatively inconspicuous due to its compact body shape.
Size :
Considered a small to medium-sized duck species.
Tail Details :
- Tail: Stiff and spiky, typically held erect. Used for steering underwater while diving.
- Tail Length: The tail is relatively long, around 70–80 mm, making it an important feature for diving.
- Feathers: Males have chestnut-brown body plumage, while females are more uniformly brown. The tail feathers are stiff and spiny.
Weight :
Generally between 580 to 750 grams (1.3 to 1.7 pounds).
Wing :
Short and rounded wings, adapted more for diving than long-distance flying.
Wing Span :
Approximately 60 to 70 cm (24–28 inches).
Facial Feature :
Males have a striking white head with a black crown, a key distinguishing feature. Females have a brownish-grey head with a dark cap.
Nest Details :
- Nest: The nest is built near water, typically in dense reeds, bulrushes, or other aquatic vegetation. It is well-concealed to protect from predators.
- Nest Made Up Of: Made primarily of plant material such as reed stems, grasses, and other marsh vegetation, often lined with down feathers.
Breeding Season :
Typically begins from late April to June.
Nesting Season :
The nesting season occurs from May to July.
Egg Color :
Creamy white or pale buff in color.
Egg Length :
Approximately 66–74 mm.
Egg Width and Weight :
- Egg Width: Around 47–52 mm.
- Egg Weight: Each egg weighs between 80–90 grams.
Clutch Size :
Typically 4 to 9 eggs.
No. of Broods :
Generally one brood per breeding season.
Incubation Period :
Around 23 to 26 days.
Nestling Period :
Ducklings are precocial and leave the nest soon after hatching.
Vocalization :
Generally quiet birds. Males make a soft whistling or grunting sound during courtship, while females produce low-pitched grunts.
Sex Demorphism :
Males have a bright white head with a black crown and blue bill, while females are more brownish-grey with a less striking appearance and a brown bill.
Migration Details :
- Migration Pattern: Partially migratory; northern populations migrate southwards during the winter.
- Migration Period: Migration usually occurs between October and March.
- Migration Route: Populations from Eastern Europe and Central Asia migrate to southern regions, including North Africa, the Mediterranean, and parts of the Indian subcontinent.
- Reasons for Migration: The primary reasons for migration include seeking warmer climates during winter and finding suitable food sources and habitats that are not frozen during the colder months.
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