Identification: The male Pochard looks as if he has a black body but most of this is wrapped up in a copious pale grey bandage. His rich red head is also distinctive. Female Pochard can be harder to identify, but there is usually at least a hint of grey brown on their mantle and flanks and their faces usually show pale blotches, especially in front of the eye. In flight, both sexes show uniquely grey-brown wings, paler across the flight feathers.

Habitat: Breeds on large reed-fringed lakes. Winters on lakes, reservoirs and insheltered bays.

Distribution: Pochards are uncommon breeding birds, largely restricted to east England and Scotland. In winter, however, they are extremely common and can be found on most larger stretches of inland water.

Widespread and easily encountered in central and southern Europe.

Population: Roughly 251 pairs breed in Britain, with up to 30 pairs in Ireland. Wintering numbers peak at around 43700 birds with a further 30 000 in Ireland.

A minimum European population of 200,000-250,000 pairs Russian population 90000-100000 Turkish population 500-1000