Photo: Brian Ralphs from Wheaton, IL, USA / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Crested Duck
Lophonetta specularioides
Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularioides) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of South America.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularioides) is a member of the Anatidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 1 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
- Genus Lophonetta
- Species specularioides
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Crested Duck hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Crested Duck is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularioides) is a member of the Anatidae family, within the order Anseriformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA s.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1 kg, with a wing length of about 26.9 cm and a tail of around 12.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Crested Duck?
The Crested Duck is a very large bird that weighs around 1 kg.
Where does the Crested Duck live?
The Crested Duck is found across South America with a range covering SA s, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Crested Duck belong to?
The Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularioides) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the Crested Duck eat?
The Crested Duck hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Crested Duck migrate?
The Crested Duck is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Crested Duck endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Crested Duck make?
1 real field recording of the Crested Duck — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Crested Duck's range?
The Crested Duck has a mapped global range of about 1.9 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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