Baer's pochard in exhibit

Baer’s Pochard

Scientific Name
Aythya baeri
Class
Aves
Order
Anseriformes
Range
Eastern Asia
Habitat
Lakes, ponds, and coastal wetland
Estimated Wild Population
Less than 1,000
Baer's pochard in exhibit Endangered Status Graph - Critically Endangered Endangered Status Graph - Critically Endangered

More Information

Baer’s pochards are diving ducks with a dark-gray head, neck, and back and a brownish-red and white flank and belly. Both males and females can have a glossy, dark-green shimmer on their head. Females have a domed head and vary more in color from their head to their beast. This species eats insects, mollusks, shrimps, fish, and algae during breeding season and aquatic plants and seeds during migration and winter.

Did You Know?

In the wild, Baer’s pochards are often found alone or mixed into non-breeding groups of more common duck species.

Their rapid population decline is likely due to hunting and habitat loss.

Females can lay up to 15 eggs between May and June.

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