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A drake red-crested pochard swimming. It's a striking duck with a black breast, brown back and head, fiery orange crown and bright coral red beak.

Red-crested pochard (drake) © Irene Greenwood

Red-crested pochard (female)

Red-crested pochard © Irene Greenwod

Red-crested pochard pair

Red-crested pochard pair © Irene Greenwood

Red-crested pochard

Scientific name: Netta rufina
This striking duck was introduced to the UK and is now established as a breeding bird in England.

Species information

Statistics

Length: 53-57cm
Wingspan: 85-90cm

Conservation status

Classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

When to see

All year

About

The red-crested pochard is naturally found in a wide range extending from southern and central Europe across central Asia, as far west as Mongolia. Its attractive appearance has made it a popular bird in wildfowl collections in the UK. Over the years, red-crested pochards have escaped from collections and nested in the wild, leading to an established population in England.

It's possible that some of the red-crested pochards seen in the UK, particularly in southeast England, have arrived on their own from continental Europe. Over the last century, the European population has spread north into the Netherlands and Germany. They are migratory, flying between breeding grounds and wintering sites.

Red-crested pochards are usually found on freshwater lakes and pools, particularly with reedbeds. They often feed at the surface, but can also dive for food. In winter they gather in large flocks.

How to identify

A distinctive duck, about the size of a mallard. The male has a black body with white sides, a brown back, and a rich chestnut head that becomes fiery orange towards the crown. The beak is a bright coral red. The female is more understated, with a pale brown body, whitish cheeks and rich brown cap. The female's beak is dark with a pink tip.

Distribution

Mainly found in south and central England.

Habitats

Did you know?

As with many ducks, red-crested pochards will pair up with other species and produce hybrid young. Some of the most regularly reported pairings are with mallard, pintail, pochard and tufted duck.