Overview

Family - Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae).

Male Ring-necked Ducks are easy to identify, but don’t waste your time looking for rings on their necks. Instead you’ll probably notice first of all either a bizarre head shape, peaked at the rear as if it’s wearing a wig that isn’t properly in place, or a boldly patterned bill with a striking white band near the tip. Look closer and you’ll notice a narrow white line all around the base of the bill and that the flanks are only pure white near the front end – the rest of the ‘white’ panel is actually a pale grey. The female also shows the same peaked head shape and the tri-coloured bill but the rather ginger-coloured plumage and pale face markings are perhaps even more likely to catch the eye. Can turn up at any water site frequented by Tufted Duck.

Comment

This handsome duck has been seen at Cheddar Reservoir on and off for a couple of weeks or so.  I was lucky enough to find it fairly close in today (3/1/2010).