Southern Pochard

The Southern Pochard, Netta erythrophthalma, is a medium-sized, robust duck with a distinctive appearance. Males typically exhibit a dark, ruddy brown plumage with a blackish tail and a striking red eye, while females are generally more subdued in coloration, with a mottled brown appearance and a less vibrant eye color.

Identification Tips

To identify the Southern Pochard, look for the male's deep chestnut-brown body and the female's mottled brown plumage. Both sexes have a unique red eye that stands out against their darker head. They possess a relatively large head and a stout neck, with a grey bill that is broad and hooked at the tip.

Habitat

The Southern Pochard favors shallow freshwater environments rich in submerged vegetation. In South America, they can be found from lowlands to altitudes as high as 3,700 meters. In Africa, they inhabit water bodies ranging from the Cape to the Ethiopian highlands, with or without emergent vegetation.

Distribution

This species has a fragmented range across two continents. In South America, it is found in Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. The African counterpart is distributed from the Cape to the Ethiopian highlands.

Behaviour

Southern Pochards are sociable and gregarious, often seen in large flocks that can number up to 5,000 individuals. They are suspected to have been strong migrants in the past, but the construction of numerous farm dams has allowed for a more sedentary lifestyle, particularly in Africa.

Breeding

Solitary nesters by nature, Southern Pochards build their nests out of leaves and stems on riverbanks, concealed by surrounding vegetation. The female lays a clutch of six to fifteen eggs and incubates them for 20 to 28 days. Upon hatching, the ducklings are immediately led to water by their mother.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Southern Pochard is predominantly aquatic plants obtained through diving. Adults also consume larvae, pupae, various aquatic animals, and additional plant material.

Conservation status

Since the 1970s, the population of Southern Pochards has been in decline. As of 2016, estimates suggested around 25,000 individuals in South America, though this figure may be an overestimate due to insufficient data. The species is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Similar Species

The Southern Pochard may be confused with other diving ducks, but its red eye and the male's distinctive plumage set it apart. Observers should also note the species' habitat preferences and social behavior for accurate identification.