Pochard

The pochard (Aythya ferina), also known as the common pochard, is a diving duck that is found throughout most of Europe except the far north.

Distribution and habitat

The pochard is found throughout most of Europe except the far north, with some populations migrating between eastern Europe and the Mediterranean region. It is resident in much of England and lowland Scotland, and is a winter visitor in western and northern areas of the British Isles.

The pochard is a freshwater duck that is only rarely seen on the open sea, although it does visit estuaries. It breeds on lowland lakes, reservoirs and flooded gravel pits where there is plenty of vegetation. Its winter habitats are similar, although it may be seen on larger bodies of water than it prefers during the breeding season.

Appearance

Adult birds range from 42 to 49 centimetres in length (16.5-19 inches) with a wingspan of 67-75 centimetres (26-29.5 inches). It is therefore a medium-sized duck that is slightly smaller than the mallard. It has a short neck and a round head.

Male birds, during the breeding season, are pale grey with a rusty red head and neck and black tail and breast. The slightly concave bill is dark with a pale grey band across it.

Female pochards are much less distinctive, being mainly grey-brown with the crown, neck and breast being darker and with a brownish tinge.

During the period of the annual moult (at any time between June and October when all the flight feathers moult simultaneously and the birds are flightless for three or four weeks) male and female pochards look somewhat similar, although the male’s head is more uniformly brown and the back is greyer.

Behaviour and feeding

Pochards feed mainly at night, so are often asleep when seen during the day. They usually congregate in small groups but may form larger flocks outside the breeding season. Within these flocks there is often a higher proportion of male birds to females.

Pochards have quite a low profile when swimming, with the tail flat on the water. When taking off they patter along the surface, and appear dumpy in flight with rapid wingbeats that make a characteristic whistling sound.

The male’s call is a whistle, whereas female pochards make a harsh, growling sound. The male’s display call has been described as a wheezing noise that is abruptly cut off with a short nasal note, rather like a ricocheting bullet.

Pochards feed by diving after making a small jump, with females tending to dive in shallower water than males. Pochards eat a mixture of plant and animal food, the former including various water plants and the latter comprising small fish, tadpoles, water snails, and insects and their larvae.

Breeding

Migratory birds return to their breeding grounds from mid-March to early April, having formed pair bonds during the winter. They gather into flocks either during migration or at the breeding sites.

Nest building begins in April with the female pochards excavating a hollow in the ground which is lined with vegetation and down. The clutch, of eight to ten eggs, is incubated by the female alone, for around 25 days. The chicks can feed themselves soon after hatching and are fully independent by the time they are fledged at about 50 days. Chicks from several families may join together into flocks.

Conservation

In the United Kingdom the pochard is protected during the breeding season but is able to be targeted by waterfowlers at other times. There are threats to local populations from pollution and industrial disturbance, but in global terms the species is not regarded as being vulnerable.

© John Welford