The White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) is a species of duck.
This species is a rare vagrant to Britain, though it is thought that records from Britain may be escapes from collections. This species is becoming very rare in southern Europe where it originates because of inter-breeding with Ruddy Ducks, as when they breed only ruddy ducklings hatch. This species is now Critically Endangered.
The males of this species have white heads with a black cap, and a large, s
Male White-headed Duck - http://www.flickr.com/photos/qwertyqwertyqwerty/
wollen blue bill. In winter the bills become greyer. Males have a black neck with a chestnut brown body. Females and juveniles are similar with a brown body with a white head with a black cap and grey-brown cheek stripe.
There is also a rare black-headed form which is similar but with a black head.