Photo: Ferran Pestaña from Barcelona, España / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-headed Duck
Oxyura leucocephala
White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 19 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 661 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
- Genus Oxyura
- Species leucocephala
Where it lives
Southern Europe and northern Africa to central Asia and northwestern China
Quick facts
- Weight
- 661 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-headed Duck hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The White-headed Duck is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) belongs to the Anatidae family of the order Anseriformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL s Europe and n Africa to c Asia and nw China.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 661 g, with a wing length of about 14.8 cm and a tail of around 8.8 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 4 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-headed Duck?
The White-headed Duck is a large bird that weighs around 661 g.
Where does the White-headed Duck live?
The White-headed Duck is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL s Europe and n Africa to c Asia and nw China, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the White-headed Duck belong to?
The White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the White-headed Duck eat?
The White-headed Duck hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the White-headed Duck migrate?
The White-headed Duck is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-headed Duck endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the White-headed Duck make?
1 real field recording of the White-headed Duck — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the White-headed Duck's range?
The White-headed Duck has a mapped global range of about 4 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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