The Smokies are at the southern edge of the wintering range for this northern, tree-nesting duck. They are uncommon on area lakes and it is not surprising that there are only two records from the park.

Note that the male of this big-headed duck has a large round white spot under its eye, unlike the female with an all dark head with no spot.

These birds are divers, feeding underwater on mostly crustaceans, aquatic insects and mussels. They also have been known to feed on aquatic plants and even fish eggs.

The park has a February 1948 record from the Spur on the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River north of Gatlinburg, Tennessee and a record from Cades Cove in January 1972.

References:

Gough, G. A., Sauer, J. R., Iliff, M. Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter. 1998. Version 97.1. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD.