Common Pochard

Red list

Aythya ferina

A round-headed diving duck whose drake glows chestnut and silver on a winter lake.

Diving duck · 48,000 breeding pairs (UK)

Measurements

Length: 42–49 cm
Wingspan: 72–82 cm
Weight: 600–1,100 g

Identification gallery

In most ducks the male (drake) and female (hen) look quite different. Study both to identify any bird.

Male Common Pochard (drake) — Drake (male)

Female Common Pochard (hen) — Hen (female)

Photos: Alexis Lours · CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Diet & feeding

Dives for seeds, roots, insect larvae and small fish.

Diving (disappears fully underwater) Medium (mallard-sized, 45–55 cm)

Habitat

Lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits; large flocks gather on estuaries and sheltered coasts in winter.

Breeding

A scarce UK breeder; most seen here are winter visitors from Russia and northern Europe.

Migration

Strong winter influx boosts UK numbers tenfold.

Vocalisation

Males whistle during display; females give a growling "krr".

Other diving ducks

Compare with close relatives.

Green list 🏠

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligula

A smart black-and-white diving duck with a jaunty dangling crest, common on lakes and reservoirs.

Length: 40–47 cm
Wingspan: 65–76 cm
Feeds: Diver

Green list ❄️

Common Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula

A striking black-and-white diving duck of lakes and coasts, famous for head-breaking courtship displays.

Length: 44–50 cm
Wingspan: 65–78 cm
Feeds: Diver

Red list ❄️

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila

A chunky, round-headed diving duck of the open coast, the sea-going cousin of the tufted duck.

Length: 42–51 cm
Wingspan: 71–80 cm
Feeds: Sea duck

Introduced list 🏠

Pochard (Red-crested)

Netta rufina

A large, flamboyant diving duck with an orange crew-cut, a growing naturalised resident in England.

Length: 52–58 cm
Wingspan: 80–95 cm
Feeds: Diver