Tufted Duck Call MP3s
A common diving duck on lakes and reservoirs across Eurasia, the Tufted Duck is hunted in several European countries though far less intensively than dabbling ducks. These recordings suit both hunters and birdwatchers wanting to learn its call.
Also known as
Recordings (4)
About this species
Around 43 cm in length, the Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) is a duck of the Anatidae family: glossy black-and-white with a drooping wispy crest and a bright golden eye. It dives on deeper lakes, large reservoirs and sheltered coastal bays.
The male whistles softly while the female answers with a low, growling 'karr'. It dives for molluscs, insect larvae and plant matter on the bed of lakes and reservoirs. It dives repeatedly from the surface, vanishing for long seconds at a time. A classic quarry of the European wildfowling tradition, it reaches peak abundance on southern marshes during the cold months.
Legal use
The Tufted Duck is a legal quarry species in a number of European countries including the UK, Finland, Denmark and Italy, and is hunted for both sport and commercial purposes in parts of the Middle East such as Iran, generally under national wildlife law rather than being singled out with special restrictions. It falls under the EU Birds Directive framework and is subject to national close seasons timed to its breeding period in several jurisdictions. As a diving duck rather than a dabbler, it is typically hunted in smaller numbers and under different local rules than species like Mallard or Teal, so requirements vary noticeably by country; check current local regulations before hunting; see our full country-by-country disclaimer for details.