Aythya ferina
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Mass
~820 g
Habitat
Wetlands and marshes
Diet
Aquatic plants
How to recognize it
The Common Pochard is a calm, compact diving duck that spends most of its time on the water. Adult males are easy to remember for the warm chestnut head and paler body, while females look much more muted and plain.
It is usually quiet and not especially showy in everyday life. The male may give a soft whistle in courtship, while the female answers with a rough, croaking call when disturbed.
It favors lakes, marshes, and quiet rivers with open water and underwater plants. It feeds on both plant and animal food, dives for its meals, and often forages at night; in winter it gathers in large flocks, and some populations stay year-round while others move south.
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
The Common Pochard is a calm, compact diving duck that spends most of its time on the water. Adult males are easy to remember for the warm chestnut head and paler body, while females look much more muted and plain.
It is usually quiet and not especially showy in everyday life. The male may give a soft whistle in courtship, while the female answers with a rough, croaking call when disturbed.
It favors lakes, marshes, and quiet rivers with open water and underwater plants. It feeds on both plant and animal food, dives for its meals, and often forages at night; in winter it gathers in large flocks, and some populations stay year-round while others move south.
