Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Common Pochard
Aythya ferina
Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 13 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 823 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
- Genus Aythya
- Species ferina
Quick facts
- Weight
- 823 g
- Diet
- Aquatic plant-eaters
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Common Pochard feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Common Pochard is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) belongs to the Anatidae family of the order Anseriformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL w Europe to c Asia and n China.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 823 g, with a wing length of about 20.9 cm and a tail of around 5.4 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 16.6 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Common Pochard?
The Common Pochard is a large bird that weighs around 823 g.
Where does the Common Pochard live?
The Common Pochard is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL w Europe to c Asia and n China, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Common Pochard belong to?
The Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the Common Pochard eat?
The Common Pochard feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Does the Common Pochard migrate?
The Common Pochard is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Common Pochard endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Common Pochard make?
1 real field recording of the Common Pochard — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Common Pochard's range?
The Common Pochard has a mapped global range of about 16.6 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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