>> GENERAL >>>>>
– large duck, size of Mallard
– diurnal/nocturnal migrant
– migrates pairwise or in small to medium flocks in formation
>> VISUAL ID >>>>>
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, M AD BREED
BIF7039, 09/04/2023, Rheindelta, Austria, Mathias Putze
– large diving dabling duck; large and round headed
– AD BREED unmistakable with rufous head, black body and white flanks
– red iris and long deep red bill
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, M AD BREED
BIF0659, 14/06/2010, Leipzig, Germany, Mathias Putze
– AD BREED unmistakable with rufous head, black body and white flanks
– red iris and long deep red bill
– primary coverts are the darkest part of the upperwing
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, M BREED->NBREED
BIF0661, 22/06/2016, Tsagaan Nuur, Mongolia, Mathias Putze
– broader wings than Aythya spp.
– white underwing with very narrow dusky trailing edge
– NBREED M resembles female but retains the red iris and the red bill
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, M BREED->NBREED
BIF0660, 22/06/2016, Tsagaan Nuur, Mongolia, Mathias Putze
– distinct white leading edge to the upperwing
– only two outermost primaries grey
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, M F AD BREED
BIF7042, 09/04/2023, Rheindelta, Austria, Mathias Putze
– in front view the dark breast of the male is contrasting to the white leading edge and white underwings
– females show a brown cap and pale cheeks, the bill is mainly dark with a orange spot to the tip
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, M F AD BREED
BIF7040, 10/04/2023, Rheindelta, Austria, Mathias Putze
– leading edge of the wing in females not as prominent as in males
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, M F AD BREED, M 2CY upper center bird
BIF7041, 10/04/2023, Rheindelta, Austria, Mathias Putze
– 2CY M shows still dark eyes and pale cheeks of a juvenile, but the bill is already turning into red
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, M F AD BREED
BIF0662, 11/03/2010, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze
– large diving dabling duck; large-headed and rather slender-necked silhouette resembles Mallard
– very broad striking white wingbar and fairly narrow dark trailing edge usually make ID straightforward
– F with unicoloured dark brown-grey back and upperwing, head with dark cap and paler sides
– wingbar in F off-white rather than shining white as in M
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, M F BREED -> NBREED
BIF1109, 30/06/2010, Kiskunsági, Hungary, Mathias Putze
– against the bright sky the silhouette in combination with translucent broad wingbar are diagnostic
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, M F BREED -> NBREED
BIF1108, 30/06/2010, Kiskunsági, Hungary, Mathias Putze
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, M F NBREED
Common Pochard Aythya ferina (right-hand)
BIF2147, 07/09/2017, Dornod, Mongolia, Mathias Putze
– at greater distance the very broad white wingband is a giveaway
>> ACOUSTIC ID >>>>>
– usually nonvocal during migration
>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>
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