Gould stated that although there were many specimens of 'this trim little diving duck' in collections it was not common in England.

He observed 'the White-eye Duck may be readily kept in confinement if provided with suitable ponds such as those in the Gardens of the Zoological Society, where it not only thrives, but, I believe, breeds. It swims and dives with the greatest ease, often remaining for a long time beneath the surface.'

DISTRIBUTION: Breeds from western Europe and north Africa east across south Europe, Turkey, south Russia and Iran to Arabia, Kazakhstan, north India, and west and central China. Winters south to west and northeast Africa, India, southeast Asia and east China. Regular but relatively rare visitor to Britain