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:
B7, 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
• The Electronic Library: further reading for "Wildlife: Oil Spill Response"

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, three to seven feet suggested (B29), or at least half the area 60cm and preferably one metre deep (D1), with shallow sloping banks for easy exit from the water, also islands, good marginal vegetation and loafing areas. Water providing a good supply of natural animal and vegetable food is preferred.
• N.B. The three Netta species (narrow-billed pochards) are less specialised, and in comparison to the Aythya species (broad-billed pochards) dive much less frequently, spend more time on land and are closer in behaviour to the Dabbling Ducks.
• 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:

• Red-crested pochards are winter-hardy. They may be kept in mixed collections, although drakes may pursue smaller females. Maintenance in small groups rather than pairs may be preferable. Adults may be kept full-winged and will usually stay. Provision of a reasonable water area at least 60-80cm deep is suggested, and a good grazing area. They may be fed grain, pellets, greenfood, gass and bread, with grain offered in the water.
• These ducks breed readily; natural ground cover and ground-level nest boxes should be provided. Eggs are laid mainly April to May. They are good brooders and rearers, ducklings may also be hand-reared easily, but may be aggressive to other ducklings. They should be fed starter crumbs, duckweed and other greenfood. Ducklings may be prone to feather-picking; this may be less of a problem if they are provided with plenty of greenfood to peck at and to move them from the brooder to an outside pen as soon as possible
• Hybridisation of this species is common; hybrids have reported with Netta peposaca - Rosy-billed pochard, also with numerous Anas spp. and Aythya spp..

(B7, B31, B40, B94, B96, B97, B129).

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

Management Techniques

• Accommodation of Casualty Waterfowl
• Rearing of Birds - Artificial Rearing - Waterfowl considerations
• Catching and Handling of Waterfowl
• Feeding of Casualty Waterfowl
• Release of Casualty Waterfowl
• See also: Oil Spill: Species Identification and Special Considerations

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Eclipse: Similar to female.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

May stay with female for 11 weeks or more.

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Scattered through western Europe, from southern and eastern Spain and southern France east. Main population from Black Sea and Turkey eastward to north-western China.

London: In the London Area, "rare autumn and winter visitor, with its true status clouded by frequent escapes." Individuals seen on various lakes, gravel pits, the River Thames at Hammersmith, The Wetland Centre (WWT) at Barnes, etc. (J322.65.w1)

Partly migratory, joining sedentary population in Mediterranean basin and to south-western areas of former USSR, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, south-east Asia.

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Not threatened and fairly stable but patchy distribution.

Captive Populations

Trade