Parques de Portugal

<p> <em>Aythya ferina</em> (Linnaeus, 1758)</p>

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  • Pochard

  • Aythya ferina (Linnaeus, 1758)

  • Anatidae

  • The common pochard is a diving duck with a concave beak, long neck and short tail. The male has a reddish brown head which, during the mating season, contrasts with the light grey of its body and beak, with a black neck and red eyes. The female is brown with a white belly. It can grow to be 49 cm long and have 75 cm span.

  • Paul do Boquilobo Nature Reserve

    Lagoas de Santo André e da Sancha Nature Reserve

  • Lisboa e Vale do Tejo

    Alentejo

  • Endangered (resident population) | Vulnerable (visiting pop.)

  • The common pochard inhabits ponds, bogs and weirs, with shallow waters, quiet and open, and with marsh vegetation.

  • All year long

  • The common pochard has an omnivorous diet, feeding on seeds, roots and green parts from aquatic plants, amphibians, small fish and aquatic invertebrates. It obtains its food under water, by diving. 

  • The Portuguese population of this species is estimated to be between 7 and 50 nesting couples and 592 wintering individuals.