White-headed Duck
The white-headed duck is a small diving duck some 45 cm (18 in) long. The male has a white head with black crown, a blue bill, and reddish-grey plumage. The female has a dark bill and rather duller colouring. Its breeding habitat is lakes with open water and dense vegetation at the margin. It dives under water and feeds on aquatic vegetation as well as some animal matter. It is more likely to swim away from a perceived threat than to fly. This duck is known from Spain, North Africa, Western Asia and Central Asia. Populations are declining, mostly due to loss of habitat and pollution, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated the bird's status as "endangered".
Summary from Wikipedia
Hear it on xeno-canto Community recordings — opens xeno-canto →In Türkiye
Recorded in Türkiye throughout the year.
Most records in May–June and December–January.
Provinces where it makes up the largest share of bird records.
Adjusted for how many birdwatchers are out each month; the busiest month = 100%.
2,453 records from Türkiye · #238 of 634 species by number of records. Source: GBIF.org (October 2026). All birds of Türkiye
At a glance
The white-headed duck is a rare blue-billed duck that cocks its stiff tail, globally endangered by hybridisation and wetland loss, with Turkey a key wintering site.
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