The Common Pochard Duck (Aythya ferina) is a medium-sized wetlands bird in the diving duck family.
The male Common Pochard Duck has a long dark-grey beak with a grey band, a rounded orange-red head, a red neck, a black chest, and a grey back. The female has a brown head and brown body with a narrow grey band near its beak. Its eyes are red.
It measures 47-54 centimetres (19-21 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 66-73 centimetres (26-29 inches).
It is native to Europe and Asia. It prefers wetlands, such as marshes and lakes.
It is migratory, flying south or west in winter to warmer locations. It forms large flocks when it migrates.
The Common Pochard eats by diving into the water, or dabbling in the water for food. It eats aquatic plants, snails, insects, and small fish. It is mainly diurnal, active during the day, but it also feeds at night.
The Common Pochard builds a nest by the lakeside amongst vegetation. The female lays 8–12 pale green eggs, which hatch after about 30 days. The young are called ducklings.
[Location of photographs: Berlin, Germany]
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM