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Birds by name

Red-crested pochard

Conservation status: Introduced

Larger than a pochard, the male has an orange-brown head with a red beak and pale flanks. Females are brown with pale cheeks. In flight they show whitish primaries. They dive, dabble and up-end for their food. There is a large population in Spain and nearer but smaller numbers in France, Netherlands and Germany - and occasional wild birds may come to the UK from the Continent. The UK breeding birds almost certainly all come from escaped birds.

Overview

Latin name

Netta rufina

Family

Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)

Where to see them

Found mainly in southern and eastern England, where breeding populations have become established following excapes from captivity. Occasional wild birds may occur in places like Abberton Reservoir, Essex.

When to see them

All year round

What they eat

Stems, roots and seeds of aquatic vegetation.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-29 pairs320 birds-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Characteristics

Red-crested pochard (female)

Red-crested pochard - female
  • Colouring: Female
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, orange, grey, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, brown/buff, orange, red/pink
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, dives underwater

Red-crested pochard (male)

Red-crested pochard - male
  • Colouring: Male
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, red, orange, grey, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: red/pink
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, dives underwater

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