Ring-necked Duck/Lacha mhuinceach (Aythya collaris)
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) is a diving duck from North America. This strong migrant is a rare but regular vagrant to western Europe and Ireland, mostly from October to March, almost always associating with flocks of Tufted Duck. In September/October 2008, a flock of 15 was recorded on Inishmore on the Aran Islands.
It is very similar to Tufted Duck but is slightly smaller and lacks a crest. Adult males can be separated from Tufted Duck by having much greyer flanks with a white vertical stripe, as well as different pattern on the bill (broad white stripe near the tip). Adult females appear quite different to female Tufted Duck, being much paler overall and having an obvious white eyering. Also shows a hint of the obvious vertical white stripe found on the flanks of the male. Juvenile Ring-necked Ducks are similar to females, though the head pattern is not as contrasting and lacks the broad white stripe on the bill.
They mainly feeds by diving for freshwater invertebrates (beetles, shrimp). Ring-necked Ducks will also feed on plants, such as pondweeds.
This lone male was found on a small artificial lake in Grangecastle Industrial Estate, south of Dublin city.
Ring-necked Duck/Lacha mhuinceach (Aythya collaris)
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) is a diving duck from North America. This strong migrant is a rare but regular vagrant to western Europe and Ireland, mostly from October to March, almost always associating with flocks of Tufted Duck. In September/October 2008, a flock of 15 was recorded on Inishmore on the Aran Islands.
It is very similar to Tufted Duck but is slightly smaller and lacks a crest. Adult males can be separated from Tufted Duck by having much greyer flanks with a white vertical stripe, as well as different pattern on the bill (broad white stripe near the tip). Adult females appear quite different to female Tufted Duck, being much paler overall and having an obvious white eyering. Also shows a hint of the obvious vertical white stripe found on the flanks of the male. Juvenile Ring-necked Ducks are similar to females, though the head pattern is not as contrasting and lacks the broad white stripe on the bill.
They mainly feeds by diving for freshwater invertebrates (beetles, shrimp). Ring-necked Ducks will also feed on plants, such as pondweeds.
This lone male was found on a small artificial lake in Grangecastle Industrial Estate, south of Dublin city.