Ducks, geese, and swans · Waterfowl
Common Pochard
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Aythya ferina
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Voice
Call
Noé Ferrari
Alarm
Noé Ferrari
Call
Sonothèque ADVL
How to recognize it
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Medium diving duck, smaller than a mallard
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Drake: chestnut head, black breast, pale grey sides
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Bill grey-blue with dark tip and base; no wing mirror
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Low-sitting on water; heavy takeoff, fast flight with loud wingbeats
About the species
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.
Where to find
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On large ponds and reservoirs with a fringe of reeds — watch for a low-sitting duck diving right along the reed edge.
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Along quiet canal bends and sheltered bays with open water, small flocks often drift offshore and vanish under the surface.
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Early in the morning on slow rivers, look among waterside plants: the male gives a soft whistle, and the female a rough "krrr".
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In winter, open patches on big unfrozen waters are a good bet, especially where it feeds near swans and other diving ducks, disappearing again and again under the water.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Aythya ferina Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Common pochard Encyclopedia article