Species Profile
Pochard
Aythya ferina
Quick Facts
Conservation
VUVulnerableAlso known as: Common Pochard, Eurasian Pochard
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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.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Red
- Secondary
- Black
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Grey
Female Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Grey
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Grey
Female Markings
Paler cheeks and throat compared to the rest of the body
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & 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.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Wales
Bedfordshire
Rutland
Cambridgeshire
Buckinghamshire
Berkshire
Cheshire
Derbyshire
Dorset
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Gloucestershire
Hampshire
Hertfordshire
Kent
Merseyside
London
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
Manchester
Northumberland
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
North Yorkshire
Oxfordshire
South Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
West Midlands
Suffolk
Shropshire
Somerset
Surrey
Staffordshire
Stockton-on-Tees
Warwickshire
West Yorkshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
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.
Calls & Sounds
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.
Conservation
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.
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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