Common Pochard

A medium-sized diving duck with a sloping forehead profile. It lives on large freshwater lakes and reservoirs with abundant underwater plants. In winter, European populations of these birds are joined by many migrating Pochards from Russia. It is a social duck. It often forms large, tight-knit groups on open water and mixes with Tufted Ducks.

Pochards are expert divers. They disappear underwater for several seconds to forage for plants, seeds, and snails. They primarily feed at night or during twilight. During the day, they often rest on the water with their heads tucked into their feathers. In flight, they show a broad grey wing-bar and move with rapid wingbeats.