Species of Concern
Common Pochard
Aythya ferina
Also known as: Pochard, Northern Pochard, Kalo Hans
Habitat
Aquatic
Diet
PlantSeed
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
823 g
About This Species
This diving duck favours lakes, reservoirs and slow rivers with open water, often gathering in mixed rafts with other diving ducks outside the breeding season. Look for the male's chestnut head and pale grey body, and watch for birds diving repeatedly to feed on submerged vegetation and molluscs. Winter is the best time to find large numbers, since many populations move to milder wetlands once their breeding lakes freeze over.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- View from a hide or the shoreline with binoculars rather than approaching open water directly, since diving ducks flush easily and repeated disturbance during winter can force birds to burn scarce energy reserves.
- Wildfowl and their habitats are protected under national wildlife laws across much of this species' Eurasian range, though the specifics vary by country, so check local regulations before visiting a site.
- Because this species is classified as vulnerable, keep well back, avoid boats or dogs near roosting flocks, and give extra space during cold snaps when energy conservation matters most.
VUAvesAnseriformesAnatidae
Seasonal Activity
1,602,883 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
Traits
- Diet
- PlantSeed
- Foraging
- Aquatic
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 823 g
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.