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POCHARD (Aythya ferina)

©Nigel Key Pochard (Slimbridge October 2008)

The Common Pochard, or Pochard, is a medium sized Diving Duck which feed by either diving or dabbling.

They often mix with other diving ducks, such as the Tufted Duck, to which they are known to hybridise.

Although widespread the Pochard is threatened by habitat loss, hunting and indirectly threatened through fishing. They are currently classed as Least Concern.

The Pochard is similar in appearance to the Redhead, but they can be identified by their Red eye rather than the Yellow eye of the latter.
(Compare the two Ducks.)

   Hear the Pochard's Call:-
Conservation Status


Size
480mm (19")

Appearance - Male
The male has a long dark Grey bill with a Black tip and a light Grey band in between. It has a Chestnut Brown head and neck, Red eyes, a Black breast, a Grey back, flanks and tail. The legs and feet are Grey/Yellow.

Appearance - Female
The female has a Brown head and body, White belly and a narrower Grey band on the bill.

Habitat
Wetlands, Lakes and Marshlands.

Diet
Aquatic Plants and Insects, Molluscs and small Fish.

Breeding Time
Late April to May.

Nest
The nest is built from vegetation put into natural hollows in the ground.

Eggs
Quantity: 6 to 9
Colour: Greenish Grey.











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PHOTOGRAPHS

Pochard (WWT Slimbridge April 2013) - pic by Nigel Key Pochard (WWT Slimbridge April 2015) - pic by Nigel Key Pochard (WWT Slimbridge May 2015) - pic by Nigel Key
06/04/13 09/04/15 23/05/15
Pochard (WWT Slimbridge October 2008) - pic by Nigel Key Pochard (WWT Slimbridge October 2008) - pic by Nigel Key Pochard (WWT Slimbridge May 2012) - pic by Nigel Key
12/10/08 12/10/08 26/05/12
Photos copyright of ©Nigel Key
Click for larger image


Related Links:-


Tufted Duck - www.slim-bridge.co.uk

Redhead v's Pochard

Diving Ducks - www.slim-bridge.co.uk


You can help to protect wetland habitats in the UK and around the World by becoming a member of the WWT, visit official WWT site for details.





LOCATION

Pochard
Breeding Habitat
British Isles, Northern Europe, Southern Scandinavia, Finland, Russia to Central Siberia, Romania, Austria and Hungary.
Winter Habitat or Migration Area
They winter in south and west Europe, North Africa, India, South China and Japan.


WWT Slimbridge Location - Pochard
Back From The Brink Zone - WWT Slimbridge
© Nigel Key Back From The Brink Zone (WWT Slimbridge November 2013)

The Pochard can be found in the Back From The Brink Zone, along with the following wildfowl:-
Eurasian Crane
Eurasian Wigeon
Northern Pintail
Northern Shoveler
Tufted Duck
Back From The Brink Zone (WWT Slimbridge)


WWT Slimbridge Wildfowl (Listed Alphabetically)
A-B  | C-F  | G-L  | M-R  | S-Z
Wildfowl M to R
Maccoa Duck
Madagascar Teal
Magpie Goose
Magellan Goose
Mallard
Mandarin
Marbled Teal
Moorhen
Muscovy Duck
Mute Swan
Northern Pintail
Northern Shoveler
Orinoco Goose
Pacific Black Duck
Patagonian Crested Duck
Philippine Duck
Pink-Eared Duck
Pink-Footed Goose
Plumed Whistling Duck
Pochard
Puna Teal
Radjah Shelduck
Red-Billed Teal
Red-Breasted Goose
Red-Crowned Crane
Red-Crested Pochard
Redhead
Red Shoveler
Ring-Necked Duck
Ringed Teal
Ross's Goose
Rosybill
Ruddy Duck
Ruddy-Headed Goose
Ruddy Shelduck