Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufina (Pallas, 1773)
RQ
RECPO
1960
Family: Anseriformes > Anatidae
The handsome male Red-crested Pochard has a rather large, round, rusty-orange head and coral-red bill whilst the pale-cheeked female is more subdued.
It is highly possible that a few of the Red-crested Pochards seen in the UK have arrived from the European breeding population. However, due to its striking plumage, this is a species that is widely kept in captivity and it may be that most of the birds at large have a captive origin.
The Red-crested Pochard is established as a breeding bird in Britain, with Wetland Bird Survey data pointing to the Cotswold Water park as the main UK site, with over 200 birds regularly counted. The winter population is estimated to be around 600 individuals.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Red-crested Pochard
Identification
Red-crested Pochard identification is usually straightforward.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Red-crested Pochard, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Call
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Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
POPULATION SIZE
| UK (breeding) | 39 Pairs (2010-14) |
| UK (winter) | 570 (2012-17) |
| BOU Category | A C2 |
|
First Record
|
Norfolk, 1818 |
POPULATION CHANGE
Red-crested Pochard has a wide but scattered distribution around the UK. Whilst small numbers of wild birds from continental Europe probably occur, most of the birds observed in the UK come from naturalised breeding populations with the main population originating from the Cotswold Water Park (Lever 2009). Numbers have increased and there has also been a substantial increase in the breeding range distribution since the 1968–72 Atlas (Balmer et al.2013).
| UK winter population |
+567% increase (1995/96 to 2020/21) |
DISTRIBUTION
There is a naturalised, self-sustaining population of Red-crested Pochards, centred on the Cotswold Water Park on the Gloucestershire/Wiltshire border. In winter, Red-crested Pochards are widely distributed in south and central England, where they are found mainly in freshwater habitats.
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Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in breeding season | 50 |
| % occupied in breeding season | 1.7 |
| No. occupied in winter | 275 |
| % occupied in winter | 9.1 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
Red-crested Pochards have undergone a large range expansion over the last 40 years.
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Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution Change 1968–72 to 2008–11.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution Change 1981–84 to 2007–11
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK
| % change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11) | +1150% |
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +221% |
SEASONALITY
Red-crested Pochards are localised residents, recorded on less than 1% of complete lists.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Red-crested Pochard, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
Sample sizes are too small to report Productivity and Nesting statistics for this species.
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
|
Maximum Age from Ringing
|
7 years 6 months 25 days (set in 1965)
|
BIOMETRICS
Sample sizes are too small to report Biometrics for this species.
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: RQ | 5-letter code: RECPO | Euring: 1960 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Welsh: Hwyaden Gribgoch
Catalan: xibec comú
Czech: zrzohlávka rudozobá
Danish: Rødhovedet And
Dutch: Krooneend
Estonian: punanokk-vart
Finnish: punapäänarsku
French: Nette rousse
German: Kolbenente
Hungarian: üstökösréce
Icelandic: Kólfönd
Irish: Póiseard Cíordhearg
Italian: Fistione turco
Latvian: lielgalvis
Lithuanian: šalmine antis
Norwegian: Rødhodeand
Polish: helmiatka (zwyczajna)
Portuguese: pato-de-bico-vermelho
Slovak: hrdzavka potápavá
Slovenian: tatarska žvižgavka
Spanish: Pato colorado
Swedish: rödhuvad dykand
Research
Interpretation and scientific publications about Red-crested Pochard from BTO scientists.
CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
Causes of change
The main drivers of the increases in this species are uncertain, but the naturalised population has arisen from captive birds. Numbers remain relatively small and it is unclear whether this species will fill an ecological niche which will enable it to increase further and become more widespread.
Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
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