Pochard
VulnerableAythya ferina
Visual Identification
Pochard
Appearance
The Pochard is a medium-sized diving duck with a distinctive rounded head and sloping forehead. Males in breeding plumage have a striking rusty-red head, black breast, and pale grey body. Their back is finely vermiculated grey, creating a subtle, elegant pattern.
The drake’s winter plumage is bold and striking with a pale grey body, darker grey upperwing coverts and paler grey flight feathers. In eclipse plumage, males are similar to females but have greyer bodies, darker breasts and a plain face.
Females are more subdued, with a brown head and body and slightly paler cheeks. Both sexes have a grey bill with a black tip and grey legs. In flight, both show a pale grey wing stripe.
Size
Length
42cm to 49cm
Wingspan
67cm to 75cm
Weight
690g to 1.2kg
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Pochards inhabit a variety of freshwater habitats, including lakes, reservoirs, and slow-flowing rivers with abundant aquatic vegetation. They breed across Europe and Asia, from Britain to eastern Siberia.
In winter, many birds migrate south to the Mediterranean, North Africa, and southern Asia. In the UK, they are year-round residents, with numbers boosted by winter visitors from northern Europe.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,690 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Pochards primarily feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates. They dive to depths of 1-3 meters to forage, using their broad bills to filter food from the water and mud.
In some areas, they have adapted to feed on zebra mussels, an invasive species. They are also frequently a nocturnal feeder.
Behaviour
Pochards are skilled divers, often submerging themselves for 15-30 seconds to forage. During winter, they form large flocks on open water, sometimes mixing with other diving ducks.
During the breeding season, males perform head-throws and whistling calls to attract mates.
Vocalisation
Pochards are generally quiet outside the breeding season. During courtship, males produce a soft, wheezing whistle, often described as 'wee-oo'. Females make a low, grating 'karr' sound. In flight, the wings produce a distinctive whistling noise.
Nesting & Breeding
Pochard breeding season typically begins in late April or May. Males court females with elaborate displays, including head-throws and whistling calls. Pairs often form new bonds each year.
Nests are built close to water, usually hidden in dense vegetation. The female constructs a shallow bowl of plant material lined with down and lays 8-10 olive-grey eggs.
Incubation lasts about 25 days and is carried out solely by the female. Ducklings are precocial, able to swim and feed themselves shortly after hatching, but they remain with their mother for protection for several weeks.
Lifespan
The Pochard typically lives for 10 to 12 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 23 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
The Pochard is classified as Vulnerable due to significant population declines across its range. Threats include habitat loss, particularly the drainage of wetlands, hunting, and climate change impacts. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring wetland habitats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Pochards on large, open bodies of freshwater, especially in winter.
- Observe their diving behaviour - they submerge completely, unlike dabbling ducks.
- In the UK, visit wetland reserves like Rutland Water or the London Wetland Centre for good viewing opportunities.
- Listen for the male's distinctive whistling call during the breeding season.
- Spring and summer are the best times to spot Pochards as the male is in its clearly defined breeding plumage, which is easily recognisable.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Common Pochard, Eurasian Pochard
Family:
AnatidaePredators
Did You Know?
- Pochards can dive to depths of up to 3 meters to forage for food.
- They have a special adaptation in their feet that allows them to efficiently propel themselves underwater.
- Some Pochard populations have shifted their wintering grounds northward due to climate change.
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References
- 2
website: BirdLife International. 2021. Aythya ferina. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22680358A205288455.
View source - 3 4
report, 2021: Wetlands International
- 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source