Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligula (Linnaeus, 1758)

		spring male winter males and females in flight
2009-04-08 Big Aksuat lake, Naurzum Natural Reserve 2009-12-26 Aktau, Eastern Caspian Sea2006-05-07 Zelenovsky region, West Kazakhstan oblast	© Aleksey Timoshenko © Olga Kozhevnikova© Askar Isabekov

Distribution

Breeds in northern Kazakhstan, south to lower reaches of Uzen, Irgiz and Turgay rivers, mouth of Kengir river, Ust-Kamenogorsk area, on Markakol lake, upper Bukhtarma river and in foothills of Altaiskiy Tarbagatay ridge. A brood recorded 18 July 1990 on Alakol lake. Widespread on migration; occasionally winters in Ile valley, and in lower reaches of Keles river. On Sorbulak lake nearly 100 birds recorded 10 February and 200-1000 birds 3 November – 15 December 2002.

Biology

Common breeding migrant and numerous during migration. Inhabits steppe lakes and rivers with reed-beds or willow bushes, and mountain lakes with forested shore up to 1500 m in Altai. Appears end February – early March in southern regions, and early – mid-April in the north. Migrates mainly at night and at dawn in small flocks of several dozen, but sometimes 100-150, resting by day and gathering in big numbers. Migration completed by end May. Breeds in separate pairs. Nest is built on shore near water in shallow hollow, on small islands or on floating reed stems from dry grasses, reed leaves and lined with down. Clutches of 6-12 eggs end May – early July. Juveniles hatch early June – end July, and may not fly until end August. Moulting males noted mid-July – August, but not known where they concentrate. Autumn migration is very late, from mid- or end September, and continues until water freezes, early – mid-November.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.