Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture references:
B29, B30, B40, B94, B128.w1, B139
D1, D8

Other References

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

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Pochards
• White-eyes

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.
• 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:

• Hardheads are sociable and easy to keep in mixed collections or in groups on large water areas with good marginal vegetation and shallow banks.
• They breed fairly readily (B29), using close ground cover (e.g. reeds, grass) or a ground level nest box or hollow log. Well-vegetated islands are prefered for nesting .Eggs are usually laid April to June (northern hemisphere); July to March peaking September to December in Australian collections. May be parent hatched and reared;parents are very attentive and survival is reported to be high in Australian collections (B139). May also be artificially incubated and hand reared, fostered under broody hens or fostered under Anas castanea - Chestnut teal..
• Starter crumbs plus green food and small live food is suggested.
• They may hybridise with similar species, particularly Aythya novaeseelandiae - New Zealand scaup - should not be kept together.

(B29, B30, B94, B139).

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

Management Techniques

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Aythya australis extima:- head and throat may be more black-brown (B8).

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

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Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

South-western and eastern Australia locally in New Guinea, isolated population in New Hebrides (Banks Island), probably also Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

Wanders in dry season, particularly in droughts: all over Australia, Tasmania, reaching New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Java, Sulawesi, New Guinea, New Caladonia (B1, B19).

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Not globally threatened, but declining (B1, B25).

Captive Populations

Trade