Introduction
The Crested Duck, Lophonetta specularioides, is a medium-sized South American duck in the family Anatidae. It is the only species in the genus Lophonetta and is recognised in two subspecies: the Andean Crested Duck, L. s. alticola, and the Patagonian Crested Duck, L. s. specularioides. The species occurs from the high Andes of Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina southwards through Patagonia to the Falkland Islands. (ww.worldbirdnames.org)
Physical Description
The Crested Duck is generally about 50–60 cm long. Both sexes are similar in appearance, although the male usually has a slightly more conspicuous crest and may show more pronounced display plumage. The overall colour is grey-brown to dark brown, with pale mottling on the flanks and body. The head and face are relatively dark, the bill and legs are dark grey, and the iris is commonly reddish, particularly in southern populations.
The species has a short, shaggy nuchal crest, which may be held flat and can therefore be difficult to see. Its tail is comparatively long and pointed. In flight, the wing shows a contrasting iridescent speculum, generally appearing greenish, purplish or bronze, with a pale border. Juveniles are duller and less distinctly marked, and their crest is less developed. (ebird.org)
Range and Habitat
The Andean subspecies occupies highland wetlands and lakes from Peru and Bolivia through northern Chile and western Argentina. It is associated with puna and other open high-elevation landscapes, including freshwater lakes, lagoons, rivers, marshes, bogs and wet grasslands. Local records extend to approximately 4,700 m above sea level.
The Patagonian subspecies occurs in southern Chile and Argentina, including Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands. It uses freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, coastal lagoons, estuaries and sheltered marine shores, sometimes at sea level. Some southern populations make seasonal or local movements, while others are largely resident. The two subspecies show geographic variation in body size, with highland birds tending to be larger than birds from lower-elevation Patagonia. (digitalcommons.usf.edu)
Behaviour and Diet
Crested Ducks are mainly diurnal. They are often seen alone, in pairs or in small groups, although larger gatherings may form where suitable food and roosting habitat are concentrated. They can be territorial, particularly during the breeding season, and may behave aggressively towards other waterbirds near nesting areas.
The species feeds in shallow water and along wet margins. Its diet includes aquatic invertebrates, insects and their larvae, molluscs, other small aquatic prey, algae and other plant material. Feeding may involve dabbling, surface foraging and searching among submerged vegetation or soft sediments. Available evidence does not support describing small fish as a regular or characteristic food item.
Breeding timing varies geographically. In the Andes, breeding is mainly recorded during the warmer months, commonly from January to March, while breeding in southern regions generally occurs later in the year, often from October to December. The nest is placed on the ground in grass, shrubs or other cover, usually close to water and sometimes on a small island. It is constructed from vegetation and lined with down. Clutches generally contain five to eight cream-coloured eggs, and incubation lasts about 30 days. Ducklings are precocial and leave the nest soon after hatching with the female. (planetofbirds.com)
Identification Tips
- Look for a fairly large, dark-mottled duck with a short, shaggy crest and a long, pointed tail.
- The sexes are broadly alike, unlike strongly dimorphic ducks such as the Yellow-billed Pintail.
- The dark face, pale mottling on the flanks, dark bill and legs, and reddish eye help confirm the identification.
- In flight, look for the iridescent wing speculum with a pale rear border.
- In the Andes, its high-elevation lake and wetland habitat is a useful clue. In Patagonia and the Falkland Islands, it may occur along freshwater and coastal habitats.
- It can be distinguished from smaller brown dabbling ducks by its larger size, more strongly crested head, darker face and long tail.
Conservation Status
The Crested Duck is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It has a broad distribution and is locally common in suitable wetlands, although a reliable global population estimate and clearly documented global population trend are not available in the sources consulted. (sealifebase.ca)
Local populations may be affected by wetland degradation, disturbance, pollution, water-level changes and the loss of suitable breeding cover. In parts of southern South America, introduced American Mink can pose a risk to ground-nesting waterbirds, including species with similar nesting habits. Protection of high-altitude and Patagonian wetlands, maintenance of clean water and shoreline vegetation, responsible management of recreation and hunting, and continued monitoring are appropriate conservation measures. These regional pressures should not be interpreted as evidence that the species is globally threatened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Crested Duck live?
The species occurs across South America, from the high Andes of Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina to Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands. It uses freshwater and coastal wetlands.
How can a Crested Duck be identified?
Look for a medium-sized grey-brown duck with a dark face, pale flank mottling, a short shaggy crest, dark bill and legs, and a long pointed tail. Its iridescent wing speculum is particularly noticeable in flight.
Are male and female Crested Ducks different?
The sexes are generally similar. Males may have a slightly more prominent crest and more conspicuous display features, but the species does not show strong sexual dimorphism.
What does the Crested Duck eat?
Its diet includes aquatic invertebrates, insects, molluscs, algae and other plant material. It commonly feeds in shallow water, among aquatic vegetation and along wet margins.
When does the Crested Duck breed?
Breeding season varies with latitude and elevation. Andean birds commonly breed during the warmer months from January to March, while southern populations often breed from October to December.
Is the Crested Duck endangered?
No. The species is currently assessed as Least Concern globally. Nevertheless, local wetland loss, disturbance, pollution and predation at nests may affect some populations.
References
- Gill, F., Donsker, D. and Rasmussen, P. (eds.). 2026. IOC World Bird List, version 15.2. International Ornithologists’ Union. https://worldbirdnames.org/ Accessed 8 September 2026.
- BirdLife International. n.d. BirdLife’s Taxonomic Checklist. BirdLife DataZone. https://datazone.birdlife.org/about-our-science/taxonomy Accessed 8 September 2026.
- International Union for Conservation of Nature. 2016. Lophonetta specularioides. IUCN Red List assessment, category Least Concern. Current status also reported through the IUCN-linked species record in SeaLifeBase. https://www.sealifebase.ca/summary/Lophonetta-specularioides.html Accessed 8 September 2026.
- Bulgarella, M., Wilson, R. E., Kopuchian, C., Valqui, T. H. and McCracken, K. G. 2007. Elevational variation in body size of Crested Ducks (Lophonetta specularioides) from the Central High Andes, Mendoza, and Patagonia. Ornitología Neotropical 18(4): 587–602. https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/ornitologia_neotropical/vol18/iss4/10/
- Bulgarella, M. 2010. Ecogeographic, Adaptive, and Phylogenetic Variations in the Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularioides) and Their Hemoglobins in the Andes. PhD dissertation, University of Alaska Fairbanks. https://scholarworks.alaska.edu/uaf_grad_bio_sciences/330/
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology. n.d. Crested Duck, Lophonetta specularioides. eBird species account. https://ebird.org/species/creduc1 Accessed 8 September 2026.
- Government of Argentina, Sistema de Información de Biodiversidad. n.d. Lophonetta specularioides. Species account and national distribution information. https://sib.gob.ar/ficha.php?especie=ANIMALIA%2ALophonetta%2Aspecularioides Accessed 8 September 2026.
- Planet of Birds. n.d. Crested Duck, Lophonetta specularioides. Species account summarising breeding biology and habitat information. https://planetofbirds.com/anseriformes-anatidae-crested-duck-lophonetta-specularioides/ Accessed 8 September 2026.
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