Red-Crested Pochard Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements
Although originally considered to be visitors to the UK shores, the Red-Crested Pochard is a resident bird. Many were introduced to private collections and escaped into the wild where they have thrived.
A wetland bird survey estimates around 200 resident Red-Crested Pochards in the Cotswold Water Park. With that number swelling to more than 600 individuals during the winter when European Red-Crested Pochards migrate to the milder conditions of the UK.
In this article we’ll look at the dietary habits, breeding habits as well as the size and weight of these interesting diving ducks. Keep reading to find out more.
Table of Contents
The Dietary Habits Of The Red-Crested Pochard
Red-Crested Pochards are most active in the early morning and evening, and they spend most of their time on the water or near the water’s edge. They are known for diving and dabbling for food and often feed at night.
What Does A Red-Crested Pochard Eat?
Red-Crested Pochards are primarily herbivores and their diet mainly consists of roots, seeds and vegetative parts of aquatic plants. They will also supplement their diets with aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, tadpoles, small fish and molluscs.
They prefer shallow, relatively warm waters with lush shore and underwater vegetation. They will also consume large amounts of pondweed and algae.
What To Feed A Baby Red-Crested Pochard?
The young chicks are fed a diet that is high in protein. This means that at first, the chicks are fed a mixture of small aquatic invertebrates and small amounts of fragmented plant materials.
As they grow, the chicks are fed more and more plant matter and eventually move on to the same diet as their parents.
Breeding Habits Of Red-Crested Pochards
The male Red-Crested Pochard will puff his bright orange head feathers and raise his chest. He will swim around the female with his head held high and perform a series of bobbing motions, rapid head turns and diving displays.
Although Red-Crested Pochards are quieter than other duck species, he may also use a range of calls including a soft whistle and a grunting sound to attract the attention of the female.
Do Red-Crested Pochards Mate For Life?
Breeding pairs of Red-Crested Pochards typically form during late winter or early spring and once they bond, they will remain monogamous for that whole breeding season.
The following year, both partners will form a breeding bond with a new partner.
The Size & Weight Of Red-Crested Pochards
Although male Red-Crested Pochards are easy to identify when in their breeding plumage, it can be difficult to differentiate between duck species during their moult phase.
In this section we’ll look at their size and weight to make identification easier.
How Much Does A Red-Crested Pochard Weigh?
Red-Crested Pochards are large, plump diving ducks with an average weight of around 900 to 1,400 grams Males are larger than females with an average male weighing around 1,188 grams.
While the female weighs around 1,108 grams on average. Many ducks tend to lose body weight during mid to late winter. Their weight typically increases again once spring returns and food sources are more readily available.
How Big Is A Red-Crested Pochard?
The average length of an adult Red-Crested Pochard is around 53 to 57 cm with a wingspan of between 85 to 90 cm. Again the male is larger than the female plus she is far drabber in appearance than the male.
Male Red-Crested Pochards have orange-brown heads, red beaks and pale lower sides. Females are brown with pale cheeks, in flight, both males and females display whitish underwings.
Are Red-Crested Pochards Under Threat?
The Red-Crested Pochard is currently classified as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This means that they are not considered to be under significant threat globally.
Having said that, like many wildlife species they face a number of pressures and threats including; habitat loss due to wetland degradation, pollution and drainage for agricultural use, hunting for both sport and food and climate change.
What Eats A Red-Crested Pochard?
Unfortunately for the Red-Crested Pochard population, that’s not their only threat. They also face the threat of predatory activity. Many raptors like eagles, Hawks and Falcons prey on Red-Crested Pochards when in flight or foraging for food.
They also face the threat of nests raids from foxes, raccoons, rats and otters who prey on eggs and young chicks. In some areas large fish will also prey on young chicks.
Having said that, the Red-Crested Pochard population is currently pretty stable. This is mainly due to their adaptability and widespread range.
Where Can I See Red-Crested Pochards In The UK?
There is a resident population of Red-Crested Pochards in the UK which is mainly based in southern and central England. Some of the most reported sightings occur in the following locations;
- The London Wetland Centre (Barnes, London)
- Tring Reservoirs (Hertfordshire)
- Abberton Reservoir (Essex)
- The Cotswold Water Park (Gloucestershire/Wiltshire)
- Staines Reservoirs (Surrey)
- Rutland Water (Rutland)
The above locations offer the best chances of spotting Red-Crested Pochards in the UK. There are greater numbers of these birds during the late autumn and winter months when many European Red-Crested Pochards fly in to overwinter.
SEE ALSO: Nightjar Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)
Frequently Asked Questions
Male Red-Crested Pochards have a large, rounded orange-brown head, a long red bill and a black breast. The females are duller with a dirty buff-brown head and body, pale cheeks and a rounded brown cap. Both males and females show white underwings when flying.
Yes, Red-Crested Pochards can be seen all year round in the UK in certain sites in southern and central England. These sites include; The London Wetland Centre, Tring Reservoirs, Abberton Reservoir, The Cotswold Water Park, Staines Reservoirs and Rutland Water.
Red-Crested Pochards are around 53 to 57 cm in length with a wingspan of around 85 to 90 cm. Males tend to be slightly larger than females with an average weight of around 900 to 1,400 grams.
