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WetlandScrapeLarge · 823 g
What the Common Pochard sounds like
ID tip
The common pochard is a plump, medium-sized diving duck, measuring 42–49 cm (17–19 in) in length, with a wingspan of 72–82 cm (28–32 in). It is stocky and short-tailed, with a sloping forehead and relatively long bill. Its weight (which has been reported only for winter birds) ranges from 467 to 1,240 g (16.5 to 43.7 oz). Males average larger and heavier than females. Like most ducks, it is sexually dimorphic. The male has a chestnut-coloured head and neck, a black breast and tail, and a pale grey body, marked with fine vermiculations. Voice: The male is generally silent, though he may whistle softly as part of his courtship display. The female growls softly—a sound transcribed as krrr—if she is flushed. The duckling has a short contact call of two to four notes. If distressed, its calls are higher and faster than are those of Anas ducklings of the same size and age.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Common Pochard
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 11 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is January, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Common Pochard
The map shades 94 countries with regular records, and 5 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Turkmenistan, Vietnam.
About the Common Pochard
The common pochard, known simply as pochard in the United Kingdom, is a medium-sized diving duck in the family Anatidae. It is widespread across the Palearctic. It breeds primarily in Scandinavia and the steppe regions of Siberia, and winters farther south and west.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Greater ScaupAythya marilaThe adult greater scaup is 39–56 cm (15–22 in) long with a 71–84 cm (28–33 in) wingspan and a weight of 726–1,360 g (1.601–2.998 lb).
CanvasbackAythya valisineriaIt ranges from 48–56 cm (19–22 in) in length and weighs 862–1,588 g (1.900–3.501 lb), with a wingspan of 79–89 cm (31–35 in).
RedheadAythya americanaThe redhead is a pochard, a diving duck specially adapted to foraging underwater.
Side by side: Common Pochard vs Redhead · Common Pochard vs Greater Scaup · Canvasback vs Common Pochard
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