About the White-headed Duck
The white-headed duck is a small diving duck some 45 cm (18 in) long. The male has a white head with black crown, a blue bill, and reddish-grey plumage. The female has a dark bill and rather duller colouring. Its breeding habitat is lakes with open water and dense vegetation at the margin. It dives under water and feeds on aquatic vegetation as well as some animal matter. It is more likely to swim away from a perceived threat than to fly. This duck is known from Spain, North Africa, Western Asia and Central Asia. Populations are declining, mostly due to loss of habitat and pollution, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated the bird's status as "endangered".
Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl (Anatidae) |
| Species | Oxyura leucocephala |
| Species Codes | whhduc1, WHDU |
| Conservation | EN Endangered |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the White-headed Duck belong to?
The White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) belongs to the Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl family (Anatidae), in the order Anseriformes.
What is the conservation status of the White-headed Duck?
The White-headed Duck is classified as "Endangered" (EN) by IUCN Red List.
How can I identify the White-headed Duck?
The white-headed duck is a small diving duck some 45 cm (18 in) long. The male has a white head with black crown, a blue bill, and reddish-grey plumage. The female has a dark bill and rather duller colouring. Its breeding habitat is lakes with open water and dense vegetation at the margin. It dives ...
Where can I report a White-headed Duck sighting?
You can log sightings of White-headed Duck on eBird (ebird.org) using species code whhduc1, or on iNaturalist.