Photo: Dick Daniels (http://theworldbirds.org/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Waterbirds

Southern Pochard

Netta erythrophthalma

Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Africa.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 18 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Argentina Birds of Brazil Birds of Colombia Birds of Ecuador Birds of Kenya Birds of Tanzania Birds of the United States Birds of South Africa Birds of Tennessee

By family

Ducks, Geese & Swans of Argentina Ducks, Geese & Swans of Brazil Ducks, Geese & Swans of Colombia Ducks, Geese & Swans of Ecuador Ducks, Geese & Swans of Kenya Ducks, Geese & Swans of Tanzania Ducks, Geese & Swans of the United States Ducks, Geese & Swans of South Africa Ducks, Geese & Swans of Tennessee

See what's near you right now

The Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Africa and South America. Adults weigh 780 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Anseriformes
Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
Genus Netta
Species erythrophthalma

Where it lives

Eastern, southeastern, southern AF and Amazonia

Quick facts

Weight: 780 g
Diet: Aquatic plant-eaters
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Southern Pochard feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.

Migration

The Southern Pochard is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma) is a species of bird in the Anatidae family, part of the order Anseriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa and South America. Its distribution covers AF, SA e, se, s AF and Amazonia.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 780 g, with a wing length of about 20.8 cm and a tail of around 5.2 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 10.6 million km² — a very large global range.

Songs & calls

Southern Pochard — Song

Recorded by Nature sounds by Simply Birding Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Southern Pochard?

The Southern Pochard is a large bird that weighs around 780 g.

Where does the Southern Pochard live?

The Southern Pochard is found across Africa and South America with a range covering AF, SA e, se, s AF and Amazonia, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Southern Pochard belong to?

The Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.

What does the Southern Pochard eat?

The Southern Pochard feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Does the Southern Pochard migrate?

The Southern Pochard is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

Is the Southern Pochard endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Southern Pochard make?

1 real field recording of the Southern Pochard — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Southern Pochard's range?

The Southern Pochard has a mapped global range of about 10.6 million km².