Aythya nyroca
The Ferruginous Duck, *Aythya nyroca*, is a distinctive medium-sized diving duck, instantly recognizable by the male's striking deep reddish-brown plumage and brilliant white undertail coverts. Measuring approximately 38-42 cm in length with a wingspan of 63-67 cm and weighing 450-700 grams, its rich coloration is offset by a bright white eye, particularly prominent in the breeding male. Females are duller, exhibiting a browner overall hue with a darker eye, while juveniles resemble females. ...
This species primarily inhabits shallow, freshwater wetlands with abundant emergent and submerged vegetation, preferring areas with clear water and dense marginal cover. It typically occurs at low to moderate elevations.
Their diet is omnivorous, primarily consisting of aquatic plant material (seeds, roots, leaves of pondweeds, sedges, grasses) and aquatic invertebrates (insects, crustaceans, molluscs, worms), obtained mainly by diving.
Ferruginous Ducks are generally diurnal, spending their days foraging and resting, often becoming more active during crepuscular hours. They are accomplished deep divers, propelling themselves with powerful webbed feet to access food, but also dabble and up-end in shallower water. During the bree...
The Ferruginous Duck has a widespread but fragmented breeding range spanning central and eastern Europe, western and central Asia, with isolated pockets extending into North Africa. Key breeding populations are found from the Balkans eastward through Turkey, the Caucasus, and Central Asian countr...
Near Threatened
- The Ferruginous Duck is considered one of the deepest-diving species within the *Aythya* genus, capable of reaching significant depths for food. - Its scientific name, *Aythya nyroca*, is thought to derive from an old Russian word for 'duck', reflecting its historical presence across Eastern Eu...