Pochard (Red-crested)

Introduced list

Netta rufina

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

Diving duck · 400 breeding pairs (UK)

Measurements

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

Photos: Christian David · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Aquatic plants, seeds and stems, plus some insects; often dabbles more than it dives.

Diving (disappears fully underwater) Large (eider-sized, 55–65 cm)

Large lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits with rich plant growth.

Breeds at a handful of naturalised sites in southern and eastern England.

Largely sedentary, with some dispersal in winter.

Males give a soft whistling "sreee" call; females grunt.

Compare with close relatives.

Aythya fuligula

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

Aythya ferina

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

Bucephala clangula

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

Aythya marila

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