Bird Guide

Common Pochard vs Greater Scaup

Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)

Common Pochard

Aythya ferina

Large823 gWetland

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0
Photo: Steve Lawson · CC BY 4.0
Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila

Large1.0 kgWetland

The 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). It has a light blue bill with a small black nail on the tip, yellow eyes, and is 20% heavier and 10% longer than the closely related lesser scaup. The male has a dark head with a green to purple sheen, a black breast, a light back, a black tail, and a white underside. The drake or male is larger and has a more rounded head than the female. The drake's belly and flanks are a bright white.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Tom Kennedy · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Common Pochard and Greater Scaup.