Crested Duck

Identification

The crested duck is a medium-sized South American waterfowl, with adult males weighing just over a kilogram. Both sexes are similar in appearance, though males display a slightly more prominent crest—the distinctive feature that gives this species its name. The plumage is characterized by dark brown feathers on the mantle, back, and scapulars with pale centers, creating an attractive mottled appearance. The abdomen, flanks, and tail coverts are light gray, while the tail itself is notably elongated and black. Perhaps most striking are the iridescent secondaries, which display a coppery to greenish sheen with a broad dark band behind, narrowly edged in white. Juveniles lack the distinctive crest and have lighter brown faces with paler abdomens than adults.

Range & Habitat

Endemic to South America, the crested duck comprises two subspecies occupying distinct elevational zones. The Andean crested duck (L. s. alticola) inhabits high-altitude environments from 2,500 to 4,800 metres across Peru and central Chile, while the Patagonian crested duck (L. s. specularioides) occupies lower elevations below 1,500 metres in southern Patagonia and the Falkland Islands. These subspecies meet and overlap in intermediate elevational habitats around Mendoza, Argentina and Talca, Chile.

Crested ducks are highly adaptable to diverse aquatic environments, from shallow coastal bays to remote alpine lakes. In the Altiplano, they favor turbid, alkaline lakes rich in zooplankton. Coastal populations inhabit sheltered bays and beaches, foraging among rocks and kelp beds for clams and marine amphipods. They also utilize lakes, marshes, and grassy areas throughout their range.

Behaviour & Diet

Unlike many duck species, crested ducks are highly territorial and non-gregarious, typically remaining solitary or in pairs except where food is exceptionally abundant. Pairs actively defend their foraging areas against other crested ducks and competing species. They are dabbling ducks, feeding by sieving through mud, silt, and gravel to extract macroinvertebrates. Their diet varies considerably by habitat, including zooplankton, clams, kelp, and other aquatic invertebrates.

Crested ducks are monogamous, and breeding pairs exhibit remarkable cooperation that enables them to nest in close proximity to potentially predatory species such as gulls and skuas. Nesting occurs almost year-round depending on location: from October to April in high Andean elevations, and from September to January in Patagonia and the Falklands. Females typically lay clutches of five to eight cream-colored eggs in grass or fern-concealed ground nests near water. While only females incubate the approximately 30-day incubation period, males play important roles in early duckling development. Two broods annually are common, with three occasionally occurring.

Best Time & Places to See It

For Andean populations, visit high-altitude lakes in Peru and central Chile during the austral summer (October to April) when nesting activity peaks. Patagonian populations are most active from September to January. The crested duck is one of the most common duck species in Tierra del Fuego, making this region an excellent destination for reliable sightings. Look for them on alkaline Altiplano lakes, coastal bays, and marshes throughout their range.

Photography Tips

The crested duck's striking head crest, iridescent wing coloration, and elongated black tail offer excellent photographic subjects. Since they are territorial and non-gregarious, patient stalking of individual pairs or small groups will yield better results than searching for large flocks. Photograph them in their natural habitats—high alpine lakes, coastal bays, and marshes—to capture their environmental context. Early morning light will best highlight the coppery-green iridescence of their secondary feathers and the subtle mottling of their plumage.