Fun Common Pochard Facts For Kids

Are you fond of learning more about ducks? If yes, then have a look at the common pochard (Aythya ferina), a species of diving ducks hailing from Eurasia.

These diving ducks belong to the Anatidae family that many water birds share, like geese and other ducks. When it comes to recognizing these ducks, much attention goes to the breeding males because of their colorful plumage.

These ducks share a close bond with the redheads and canvasbacks that live in North America. However, common pochards are rarely seen in any part of North America except for some Alaskan islands.

As water birds, these ducks prefer a freshwater habitat and are found in marshes and ponds. The birds like to stay in small or big flocks and mate in monogamous pairs during breeding. However, one of the saddest things is the Vulnerable status of the common pochard population which is constantly diminishing due to overhunting, urbanization, and habitat loss.

Keep reading to find out more common pochard facts and check out our articles on harlequin duck facts and duck facts.

Common Pochard Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a common pochard?

The common pochard (Aythya ferina) is a kind of diving duck.

What class of animal does a common pochard belong to?

The common pochard (Aythya ferina) belongs to the class Aves, the family Anatidae, and to the genus Aythya, which is shared by other species of diving ducks.

How many common pochards are there in the world?

Through the years, the number of the common pochard has seen a declining trend. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, the current global population is around 1,950,000-2,250,000 ducks.

They go on to state that the European population of ducks has seen a 30-49% decrease which is sad as Europe is a crucial breeding and wintering ground for these ducks.

Where does a common pochard live?

The common pochard is a Eurasian bird; hence it is seen in different parts of Europe and Asia. Some non-breeding populations are also found in northern Africa.

This diving duck from Russia and Scandinavia often migrates to Great Britain in winter. The sightings of the ducks are rare in North America, with vagrants seen mainly around the Aleutian Islands and Pribilof Islands. These ducks are rarely seen outside Alaska in North America.

What is a common pochard's habitat?

The common pochard distribution is dominant in habitats like marshes and lakes. However, this diving duck may inhabit other freshwater inland bodies with dense vegetation present on the shore. It is rare to see this bird species living in brackish environments. Another preference for these birds is shallow water bodies which help in diving to easily find food.

Who do common pochards live with?

These ducks are known for forming a large family or flock consisting of several birds. During winter the large groups can mix with other birds such as the species of the tufted duck.

How long does a common pochard live?

According to IUCN, the common pochard (Aythya ferina) lifespan range is around 7.6 years.

How do they reproduce?

The usual breeding season of the common pochard species is from mid-April to June. However, it might change according to the location selected by the bird pair.

Their mating behavior includes breeding in monogamous pairs, but the pair may only last a single season. The birds prefer to build a nest in vegetation present beside a waterbody. The females lay around 8-10 eggs and incubate them for 24-28 days.

The female common pochard may even lay 15 eggs. Both sexes may take up the opportunity to raise the ducklings that fledge after 55 days.

What is their conservation status?

Currently, because of the decrease in the number of these species, the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List gives it the Vulnerable status.

Common Pochard Fun Facts

What do common pochards look like?

When it comes to the physical appearance of a common pochard, the males drive the most attention. The plumage of the males includes a brownish-red head and neck complimented by a dark bill and red eyes.

Black feathers are present on the breast, while the wings have a distinct white color. The black feathers are also present on the tail. Both sexes look similar, although females have lighter breasts.

On the other hand, females look quite pale because of their brownish-grey appearance. It has a dull brown head with some black markings, which flow into the dark bill.

Compared to the head, the face is white, and the chest area has brown feathers mixed with grey. Even though the wings are white, it does have a greyish pattern on it.

How cute are they?

Common pochards are just as cute as other ducks.

How do they communicate?

Common pochard birds communicate via different calls.

How big is a common pochard?

The average body length of the common pochard is 16.5-19.2 in (42-49 cm). In this species, the female birds are slightly smaller than the males. The Aythya ferina is similar in size to another diving duck species, the tufted duck that reaches an average body length range of 16.1-18.1 in (41–46 cm).

How fast can a common pochard fly?

Not much information is available regarding the flying speed of this bird species.

How much does a common pochard weigh?

The common pochard range of weight is around 16.4-43.7 oz (465-1240 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

Like other duck species, males are known as drakes, while females are simply known as ducks or hens.

What would you call a baby common pochard?

Baby common pochard birds are known as ducklings. The juvenile common pochard looks similar to its mothers.

What do they eat?

Common pochards have an omnivorous diet, and you can find the flocks going through the shallow water in search of food. It likes to feed on water animals like mollusks, water insects, snails, and worms. They will very rarely feed on small fish. These birds also like to feed on aquatic vegetation found beside their water habitat.

Are they friendly?

Not much is known about pochard-human interactions apart from the bird being a commonly hunted species in some parts of the world. These birds may not be fond of human interactions, so it is better to stay away from them.

Would they make a good pet?

As this species of ducks are vulnerable, it is better to let common pochards stay in the wild as keeping it as a pet may have legal consequences.

Did you know...

Common pochards are one of the three birds present in the genus Aythya.

What does a common pochard sound like?

Common pochards are known for their various calls. The female bird produces a growling call, while the males have a whistling call followed by an ‘aaoo-oo-haa’ sound. A kil-kil-kil sound is also used by the male birds to get the attention of the females.

Common pochard vs redhead

The common pochard species is often compared to the redhead because of its similar look. One of the distinct differences seen in females is that redhead females have a more brownish plumage compared to that of the common pochard female.

Additionally, the brown head of the common pochard is complemented by a paler face, which is not present on the head of the redhead.

When it comes to males, the common pochard has red eyes, whereas redheads have yellow eyes. Moreover, the common pochard species has a dark or blackish bill compared to the bluish bill of redheads.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these muscovy duck facts, or king eider facts.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our common pochard coloring pages.