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A photo of a Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina), male
Red-crested Pochard, Male

Red-crested Pochard

Netta rufina

The red-crested pochard (Netta rufina) is a large diving duck. The scientific name is derived from Greek Netta "duck", and Latin rufina, "golden-red" (from rufus, "ruddy"). Its breeding habitat is lowland marshes and lakes in southern Europe and it extends from the steppe and semi-desert areas on the Black Sea to Central Asia and Mongolia, wintering in the Indian Subcontinent and Africa. It is somewhat migratory, and northern birds winter further south into north Africa. The adult male is unmistakable. It has a rounded orange head, red bill and black breast. The flanks are white, the back brown, and the tail black. The female is mainly a pale brown, with a darker back and crown and a whitish face. Eclipse males are like females but with red bills. They are gregarious birds, forming large flocks in winter, often mixed with other diving ducks, such as common pochards. They feed mainly by diving or dabbling. They eat aquatic plants, and typically upend for food more than most diving ducks. A wheezing call can be given by the male. Series of hoarse vrah-vrah-vrah calls can also be heard from females.
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Red-crested Pochards on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Alan Hembrow
Alan Hembrow
Friday 02 Jun 2023 - 1:13pm
United Kingdom
A photo of a Red-crested Pochard photographed in Erläuterungspunkt (blau 3) Germany
Profile picture for Alexander Rex
Alexander Rex
Friday 02 Jun 2023 - 1:10pm
Germany
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Katy Taylor
Katy Taylor
Wednesday 31 May 2023 - 10:38am
United Kingdom
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Mark Smithson
Mark Smithson
Tuesday 30 May 2023 - 2:30pm
United Kingdom
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