Ferruginous Duck
Aythya nyroca
The Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) is a uncommon ducks, swans, and geese found in 91 countries, weighing about 574 g. The ferruginous duck, also known as the ferruginous pochard, common white-eye or white-eyed pochard, is a medium-sized diving duck native to the Palearctic.
About the Ferruginous Duck
The ferruginous duck, also known as the ferruginous pochard, common white-eye or white-eyed pochard, is a medium-sized diving duck native to the Palearctic. The scientific name is derived from the Ancient Greek word, αἴθυιᾰ, an unknown seabird mentioned by authors including Hesychius and Aristotle, and the Russian word, нырок, the Russian word for pochard, which occurs in the bird's Russian common name.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The breeding male is a rich, dark chestnut on the head, breast and flanks with contrasting pure white undertail coverts. In flight the white belly and underwing patch are visible. The females are duller and browner than the males. The male has a yellow eye and the females have a dark eye.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Finland, United States, Lebanon, Seychelles.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Ferruginous Duck?
- The breeding male is a rich, dark chestnut on the head, breast and flanks with contrasting pure white undertail coverts. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Ferruginous Duck?
- The Ferruginous Duck is a large sized bird weighing about 574 g.
- Where can you see a Ferruginous Duck?
- The Ferruginous Duck occurs in 91 countries, including India, Spain, Israel, France and China.
- What birds look similar to a Ferruginous Duck?
- The Ferruginous Duck is most easily confused with the New Zealand Scaup, the Baer's Pochard and the Madagascar Pochard.
- Is the Ferruginous Duck endangered?
- The Ferruginous Duck is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Ferruginous Duck for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.