A medium-sized diving duck commonly found across Europe and Asia, it also extends into parts of North Africa. This bird is particularly known for its striking appearance and robust diving capabilities, making it a favorite among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
Physically, the Common Pochard has a distinctive look that easily sets it apart from other waterfowl. Males are especially colorful during the breeding season, sporting a glossy red head, a black chest, and a grey back, while their sides are pale and their tail is black. Females and non-breeding males are less colorful, generally displaying more muted tones of brown and grey, which helps with camouflage in their natural habitats. Both genders have bright red eyes, which are one of the most striking features of this species.
Common Pochards are well adapted to aquatic life. Their legs are set back on their bodies, aiding in efficient diving but making them somewhat awkward on land. They dive primarily to feed on aquatic plants, small fish, and invertebrates, using their strong legs to propel themselves through water with remarkable agility. This diet is crucial for their survival, especially in winter when they need additional nutrients to maintain their body condition during the colder months.
The Common Pochard is a migratory bird, with many populations traveling from their breeding grounds in northern Europe and Asia to warmer regions in the south during the winter. This migration is a vital part of their life cycle, allowing them to exploit different ecological niches and access food resources unavailable in their breeding areas during winter.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bhutan
Bosnia And Herz.
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Canada
Cape Verde
Chad
China
Congo-Brazzaville
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Egypt
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guam
Guinea-Bissau
Hungary
Iceland
India
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Korea
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Mali
Malta
Mauritania
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Myanmar
Nepal
Netherlands
Niger
Nigeria
Nort. Mariana Is.
North Korea
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Sudan
Spain
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Turkey
UAE
Uganda
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
YemenAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
