Aythya ferina - Common Pochard
Feather characters. Barbules are short (0.84-0.92 mm) and internodes contain lightly stippled pigment, most concentrated proximal to the nodes. Triangular nodes are located on distal end, covering less than 30% of the total barbule length. On proximal end, nodal structures are visible but undeveloped and hardly swollen, and thus too small to qualify as nodes (14 per mm). An abrupt increase in size of nodes is seen distally along the barbules. In a very few cases triangular nodes may not be present. Villi are absent and internodes are occasionally kinked. Minute prongs are present on distal end of barbules and on both sides of the pennulum.
Field characters. Size 42-49 cm. Weight 823 g (467-1240) (Dunning, 1993). Long sloping forehead with high crown. Male with uniform chestnut-red head and neck, contrasting with vermiculated light grey body and black breast, under- and upper-tail. In flight with broad, pale grey stripe across entire upper-wing, contrasting with dark grey forewing. Bill dark grey with broad pale blue-grey band across middle and black tip. Female yellowish-brown, with dark brown crown and hoary areas round base of bill, on cheeks and throat; back, scapulars and sides vermiculated grey-brown; bill as male but duller. Male in eclipse resembles female but upperparts more grey. Juvenile resembles female but upperparts less vermiculated grey.
Voice. Generally silent. Female has harsh growl.
Distribution. Not a common breeding bird in Europe but locally a very common winter visitor. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. In the breeding season, occurs on open water of lakes, large ponds with floating vegetation and ample supply of submerged plant and animal food; prefers habitats with ample cover. Outside the breeding season, gathers on open, preferably fresh waters.
Food. Feeds mainly by diving up to 2.5 m deep, but feeds also with head and neck immersed and by dabbling on the surface. Takes seeds, rhizomes, buds, shoots, leaves, and tubers of aquatic plants, and animal matter (crustaceans, molluscs, annelids, insects, tadpoles).