Common pochard

The common pochard is a medium-sized diving duck renowned for its distinctive appearance and widespread distribution across Europe and Asia. Scientifically named from Greek and Latin roots, the adult male pochard is notable for its striking red head and neck, black breast, and long dark bill with a grey band. In contrast, the female has a more subdued appearance, featuring a brown head and body, and a narrower grey band on her bill.

These ducks are highly social, frequently forming large flocks during the winter months and often associating with other diving duck species. They are typically found in temperate and northern Europe, as well as throughout the Palearctic region, migrating south and west to avoid the harsher winters. In the British Isles, common pochards primarily breed in eastern England and lowland Scotland, with occasional observations in Ireland.

In terms of diet, pochards feed on a variety of aquatic plants, molluscs, insects, and small fish. They are proficient at both diving and dabbling to find food, although they prefer shallower waters even when deeper areas might offer a greater abundance of sustenance.

Regrettably, the population of common pochards is in decline in many regions. Urbanization, habitat loss, and overhunting are significant threats to their numbers. To aid in the protection of these birds, they are included under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).