Ferruginous Duck

The ferruginous duck is a chestnut-coloured diving duck. Its preferred habit is shallow lakes with siltation areas. Thanks to numerous reintroductions from German zoos, the ferruginous duck population in Germany is growing steadily. Unlike other diving duck species, ferruginous ducks can only be found in small groups outside of the breeding season.

Ferruginous ducks feed on aquatic plants, snails, insect larvae, small crustaceans and tadpoles. However, unlike other diving ducks, the majority of their diet is plant-based. The bird mainly forages for food by diving. Ferruginous ducks typically spend 30-60 seconds underwater on each dive.

Ferruginous ducks have tactile cells on their beaks that help them to find food in murky water.