Common pochard
The Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) is a diving duck commonly found across Europe, as well as in parts of Asia and northern Africa. These birds typically inhabit freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, and reservoirs, although some populations in Asia may also be found in saltwater environments. Notably, Common Pochards have experienced declining populations in certain regions since the early 2000s, leading to their classification as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their diet primarily consists of plant matter, including seeds, roots, and leaves, although they also consume mollusks and insect larvae.
Males are recognizable by their striking chestnut heads and red eyes, while females have more muted colors with gray and brown plumage. These ducks are social creatures, often seen in large flocks or "rafts," especially during winter. Breeding occurs from mid-April to July, with females nesting on vegetation near water. After about 25 days of incubation, the ducklings are born and quickly become independent. Common Pochards are generally quiet but engage in vocalizations during courtship. They are strong fliers, though somewhat awkward on land, preferring the safety of water.
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Common pochard
Common pochards are short-necked diving ducks common across Europe but also live in Asia and northern Africa. European populations live in freshwater, but in Asia, they inhabit fresh and saltwater.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Aythya
Species: Ferina
Common pochards are well-known diving ducks in Europe, but their populations began sharply declining in some countries in the early 2000s. Though they remain abundant in some areas across their wide geographic range, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the birds as vulnerable. They inhabit lakes, ponds, slow-moving rivers, marshes, reservoirs, and gravel pits, where they dive, searching for food. Various seeds, roots, buds, and leaves of water plants form most of their diet. They also seize mollusks, worms, insect larvae, and crustaceans during their dives, though they primarily eat plants. Dives last about 15 seconds and are from 3 to 12 feet (one to four meters) deep. When not diving, they dip their bills and heads just below the surface to find free-floating food or food in shallow water. Feeding occurs most often in the morning and evening.
The bodies of these birds are around 1 1/3 to 1 1/2 feet (42 to 49 centimeters) long and weigh 1 2/5 to 2 3/4 pounds (650 to 1200 grams). The female has gray on her back and white on her belly, while her breast, throat, and head are brown. Her flat, broad bill is gray with a black tip. The male has a gray back and sides, while his breast and rump are black. His distinguishing feature is his bright, chestnut head and red eyes. His bill is black with a broad, white band across the middle. The outstretched wings of this species are about 28 1/3 to 32 1/3 inches (72 to 82 centimeters) across.
Although they are usually quiet birds, common pochards call to each other during courtship before they mate. The male makes a soft, wheezing call, while the female responds with a harsh "karr karr" sound. They usually form a pair bond before they migrate north to their breeding grounds from where they have spent the winter. Mating season lasts from mid-April to June or July. Nests rest on a bed of dense vegetation on the ground or in shallow water. She incubates an average of 8 green-gray eggs for around 25 days before they hatch. The young quickly take to the water and stay with their mother since the father leaves after his mate lays her eggs. Eight weeks after hatching, the young have all their feathers and are independent. The first opportunity for the ducklings to mate comes with the arrival of the following spring.
Common pochards are social birds and live in flocks for most of the year. During the winter, they often float in groups called rafts of hundreds of ducks of multiple species. These groups commonly include the tufted duck (Aythya fuligula). Molting, or shedding feathers, occurs at the end of mating season, and flocks of thousands may gather to molt.
These ducks are clumsy on land and usually stay in the water. Danger causes them to swim away. Becoming airborne requires running across the water's surface while rapidly beating their wings. Once in the air, they are strong fliers.
Bibliography
"Common Pochard." British Waterfowl Association, 26 Feb. 2022, www.waterfowl.org.uk/wildfowl/true-ducks/common-pochard. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
"Species Factsheet: Aythya Ferina." BirdLife International, 2024, datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/common-pochard-aythya-ferina. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.