Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Other references:
B138

Aviculture references:
B29, B31, B40, B94, B96, B97, B128.w1, B129
D1, D8

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Earthkind
• The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

• Waterfowl Management Guidelines
• Proceedings of the Waterfowl Information Network Conference 1999
• Wetlands, Industry and Wildlife
• London Waterfowl Project FAQ's

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Pochards

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Diving Ducks (D1)

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Pochards are diving ducks which spend most of their time on water, and are ungainly on land. They are generally hardy, sociable and easy to maintain in captivity. They should be kept with deep water available for diving, also islands, good marginal vegetation and loafing areas. Water providing a good supply of natural animal and vegetable food is preferred.
• These ducks may be kept in mixed collections with dabbling ducks, including smaller species such as teal. They should be fed wheat in water, encouraging their natural diving behaviour. Pellets should also be fed. They may breed better if a group rather than single pair kept, as this allows their normal group displaying activity.
• 12x12x14 inch (30x30x35cm) nest box with 5 inch (12.5cm) entrance hole suggested, placed under cover at the edge of the pond (B128.w1).

(B29, B40, B94, B128.w1, D1).

Species-specific information:

• Tufted ducks are hardy, easy to manage, widely kept, good in mixed collections; they prefer large lakes with deep water for diving and natural food available. Feed as other diving and dabbling ducks (grain, pellets, green food, grass, bread) plus extra animal material if no natural food is available. Like to dive for food.
• These ducks are easy to breed. They breed best on a large, deep pond or lake, not over-populated, and with natural bankside vegetation such as rushes or reeds to nest in (they may also use baskets and shallow boxes close to water). Eggs are laid from mid-May onwards (B31); April to June (B29). These ducks brood reliably if undisturbed; ducklings may be parent reared in small enclosures (where they may be easily checked) or very large areas, otherwise hand-rearing may be used. Ducklings are not difficult to rear, although they are highly insectivorous initially and live insects are useful for feeding as well as duckweed and starter crumbs.
• This species commonly hybridises, particularly with other Aythya species; hybrids also reported with Anas spp., Netta spp., Bucephala albeola - Bufflehead, Bucephala clangula - Common goldeneye.

(B29, B31, B94, B96, B97, B129).

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme suggested average closed ring size: L 11.0mm (D8).

• Accommodation of Casualty Waterfowl
• Rearing of Birds - Artificial Rearing - Waterfowl considerations
• Catching and Handling of Waterfowl
• Feeding of Casualty Waterfowl
• Release of Casualty Waterfowl

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Wing coverts black, secondaries and inner primaries white with black tips, outer primaries dusky.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Independent at or before fledging.

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Partly migratory. Winters in north-west Europe (adding to sedentary population), Mediterranean basin, northern and sub-Saharan Africa, south-west of former USSR, middle East, Indian subcontinent, Japan, south-east Asia to Philippines.

Occasional to Alaska and (mainly west coast of) North America.

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Abundant. Stable or increasing (B1, B8).

• This species is listed on Schedule 2 - Part I (Birds which may be killed or taken outside the close season, 1 February to 31 August except where indicated otherwise: Notes on the revised schedules state "NOTE: The close season for ducks and geese when below high water mark is 21 February to 31 August") of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)
• This species is listed on Schedule 3 - Part 3 (Birds which may be sold alive at all times if ringed and bred in captivity: Notes on the revised schedules state "Birds which may be sold dead from 1 September to 28 February (NB: It is illegal to offer for sale at any time of the year any wild goose, moorhen, gadwall or goldeneye, although they are legitimate quarry species outside the close season)) of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)

Captive Populations

Trade