Netta rufina
The Red-crested Pochard is a striking diving duck, with males displaying a vibrant red bill and head, contrasting with a black breast and brown body. Their distinctive rounded, orange-red crest is often raised, enhancing their unique profile.
Females are more subdued in colouration, featuring a uniform brown plumage with pale cheeks and throat. Both sexes have a noticeable white wing patch visible in flight, and juveniles resemble females but with duller plumage.
After breeding, males go into an eclipse plumage, where their plumage becomes less vibrant, similar to females. They do keep their red bill, which is a useful way of telling the sexes apart.
Length
53cm to 57cm
Wingspan
85cm to 100cm
Weight
900g to 1.4kg
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Red-crested Pochards inhabit freshwater lakes, slow-flowing rivers, and coastal lagoons with abundant submerged vegetation. Their range extends across Eurasia, from Spain to Central Asia, with significant populations in countries like Spain, Romania, and Russia.
In winter, many birds migrate to southern Europe, North Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. In the UK, they are mainly winter visitors, with small breeding populations in southeast England.
Up to 2,000 meters
Temperate, Mediterranean
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-crested Pochard. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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