Status & Distribution
The first record of Tufted Duck, a Eurasian species, for the island of Newfoundland was a well documented female at Quidi Vidi lake from 2 Jan - 26 Jan, 1982 [Am. Birds, 1982]. It was another four years until the second record came about: an immature male shot at Colinet on 3 Nov 1986 [Am Birds, 1987]. The 3rd record was a female in Harbour Grace 16 Dec 1986 to 8 Jan 1987. The 4th and 5th records, both female, occurred in the Fall of 1990. The species has been recorded every year since 1994 and numbers continue to increase with our wintering flock now approaching 100 individuals scattered across the local ponds in St. John's. The first bird found to remain the entire summer was in 2014: an immature male at Mundy Pond, St. John's. And summering records have since been recorded almost annually.They are a very welcome addition to our avifauna.
Although there are no breeding records for the province, it wouldn’t be out of the question for a pair to remain on this side of the Atlantic at a remote pond. Hybrids have occurred with Ring-necked Duck and Greater Scaup, suggesting that at least some individuals attempt breeding in our region.
The epicentre of Tufted Ducks is clearly around the St. John's region with rare sightings outside of the city, mostly in the Conception Bay North, Harricott, Clarenville and Stephenville areas. There have been no sightings in Labrador.
The eBird range map shows a significant concentration around St. John's with scattered records across the entire island, including nearby St. Pierre-et-Miquelon.
Identification
Males are distinguished from the other aythya species by their jet black back contrasting with pure white flanks, and, of course, their name-sake tuft. The head has a green or purple iridescent colour in certain lighting.
The black tip ("nail") to the bill is generally larger than Greater or Lesser Scaup, but distinctly smaller than that of Ring-necked Ducks.
Showing off the green iridescent head.
Beginner birders often anchor their Scaup and Tufted Duck identifications on the colour of the head.
Yet, both Scaup species, and Tufted Duck can show purple or green iridescence depending on the type and angle of light.
In non-breeding and first winter plumage, the males lack pure white flanks and instead have dusky flanks.
By late summer the males lose the bulk of their tuft and are left with a few short strands that can be seen with a good look.
Females also have a dark back; however, it is more dark brown rather than jet black. This can be a difficult feature to distinguish from the scaup species. Reliable features are the tuft, albeit shorter than that of the males, and the larger black area at the tip of the bill.
In flight, Tufted Ducks have a bold white wing stripe that extends well into the primaries.
Younger birds tend to have more dull amber-orange eye colour as compared to the bright yellow eyes of adults. The photo below is of a hatch year male photographed in October.
