Falcated Duck
Mareca falcata
The Falcated Duck is a rare and occasional visitor to Britain, typically seen during the winter months or as a vagrant, with sightings mostly limited to the eastern and southern coasts. It is a dabbling duck that can be spotted in wetland areas, including estuaries, marshes, and coastal lakes.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Falcated Duck in the field.
The Falcated Duck can be identified by its distinctive long, pointed tail feathers, greyish-brown breast, and striking white forehead patch. Its dark green speculum and reddish-brown wings also help to distinguish it from other duck species.
The Falcated Duck is slightly larger than a Gadwall, with a similar size and build to a small teal.
The male Falcated Duck has a greyish-brown breast, white forehead patch, and dark green speculum, with reddish-brown wings and a long, pointed tail, while its head and neck are dark brown with a purple sheen.
The female Falcated Duck is similar to the male but lacks the purple sheen on its head and neck, and has a more subdued colouration overall, with a brownish-grey breast and less distinctive white forehead patch.
The Falcated Duck has a high-pitched, whistling call, often described as a sharp "pee-pee-pee" or "weet-weet-weet" sound.
Falcated Ducks are dabbling ducks that feed on aquatic plants, insects, and small invertebrates, often swimming with their heads submerged in the water, and they are also known for their fast, direct flight style.
The Falcated Duck can be confused with the Gadwall or the Eurasian Teal, but can be distinguished by its long, pointed tail feathers, distinctive white forehead patch, and dark green speculum, as well as its larger size and more striking plumage patterns.
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