In winter and spring, male pochards are very distinctive. They have a bright reddish-brown head, a black breast and tail and a pale grey body. Females are more easily confused with other species; they are brown with a greyish body and pale cheeks. However, during the 'eclipse' – when ducks grow new feathers – the males look very similar to the females. They become more camouflaged so that they don't draw the attention of predators.
Key ID Features:
Winter males have rich russet head, peaked at the crown, pale grey back and flanks, glossy black breast, dark tail and a pale grey patch on the dark bill.
Summer males sport a drabber version of the winter breeding plumage with an all dark bill.
Common inland diving duck with a large male presence among flocks.
Overview
Scientific name: Aythya ferina
Family: Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Where to see them:
Good places to look in summer are open lakes and gravel pits in lowland eastern England and Scotland. They're much easier to see in winter across the whole of the UK, often on larger lakes and even on estuaries.
Seen in UK:
All year round but most common in the UK during autumn and winter, when large numbers fly from eastern Europe and Russia to escape the bitterly cold weather there. They're quite rare breeding birds in this country.
What they eat
Plants and seeds, snails, small fish and insects.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
