Key information
In winter and spring, male pochards are very distinctive. They have a bright reddish-brown head, a black breast and tail and a pale grey body. Females are more easily confused with other species; they are brown with a greyish body and pale cheeks.
However, during the 'eclipse' - when ducks grow new feathers - the males look very similar to the females. They become more camouflaged so that they don't draw the attention of predators.
What they eat:
Plants and seeds, snails, small fish and insects.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 46cm
- Wingspan:
- 77cm
- Weight:
- 930g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 681 pairs
- UK wintering:
- 38,000 pairs
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Pochard (male)
Pochard (female)
