Just a little bit rusty!
The Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca is a rare winter visitor to Britain and Ireland, currently averaging about 13 records a year. It has declined over much of its native range in recent years. The species’ breeding range is principally in central and eastern Europe and in south-western Asia.
The Ferruginous Duck is slightly smaller than a Tufted Duck. The adult male is a beautiful rich mahogany colour, but females and, particularly, juveniles are browner. The most characteristic and oft-quoted feature is the large white undertail-covert patch (white bum). According to the Oxford English Dictionary the word ‘ferruginous’ means “reddish brown; rust-coloured” so I guess this is how the duck got it’s name.
Up to 5 individuals have been hanging around on the Trinity Broads, Norfolk all winter, and I finally managed to catch up with one on my third visit. This is the 200th British bird species that I have uploaded into iNaturalist.
[mostly based on https://britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/article_files/V93/V93_N01/V93_N01_P004_021_A002.pdf]
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Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca)Observer
heliastes21Place
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A small group had been present in the Trinity Broads all winter. This is the 200th British bird species that I have uploaded into iNaturalist.
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