Common Pochard

The common pochard is a plump, medium-sized diving duck 42–49cm long with a 72–82cm wingspan, weighing 467–1,240g (reported only for winter birds). It is stocky and short-tailed, with a sloping forehead and a relatively long bill. The male has a chestnut head and neck, a black breast and tail, and a pale grey body with fine vermiculations; the bill is dark grey with a wide blue-grey band across the middle, and the iris is yellow-orange to red, brightening in the breeding season (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is widespread across the Palearctic, breeding primarily in Scandinavia and the steppe regions of Siberia and wintering farther south and west. The female begins incubation only after the clutch is complete. The duckling has a short contact call of two to four notes (Wikipedia, general species account).