White-headed Duck

Oxyura laucocephala

Beak

—

Feet

—

Crest

No crest

Winter visitor. Pakistan and N India. II Swollen base to bill, and pointed tail which is often held erect. Breeding male has white head with black cap. and bright blue bill. Eclipse male has duller, less rufous body. grey bill. and black of cap more extensive and less clearly defined. Female and juvenile have grey bill, and striped head pattern (with dark cap, pale stripe below eye and dark stripe across cheeks). Immature male can have much black on head, which can even be all black. Prefers to escape by div ing or by swimming away while partially submerged. Globally threatened. Large fresh waters, lakes and brackish lagoons with extens ive submerged aquatic vegetation.