Common Pochard

Latin Name: 
Aythya ferina
Category: 
Ducks, Geese
Size: 
45cm
Description: 

A stocky, medium-sized, dome-headed diving duck. The male has a distinctive brick-red head and neck, grey body, black breast and stern and a fairly large
black bill with a broad grey band. The female is browner with paler cheeks and flanks. Both show black bordered grey wing-bars in fast, whirring flight.

Habitat: 
Inhabits all types of open water including village ponds. Feeds mainly by repeated diving for aquatic plants and animals. Gregarious.
Distribution: 
Common winter visitor throughout lowlands. Less common in east.
Call: 
Call Description: 
Rather quiet. Female sometimes purrs in flight.
IUCN: 
Least Concern
National Status: 
Widespread winter visitor
At IITK: 
sparse winter visitor