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Red-crested pochard
Paignton Zoo is home to 10 Baer’s pochards. They can be found on the lagoon next to our flamingos.
Class:
Aves
Order:
Anseriformes
Family:
Anatidae
About the red-crested pochard
The red-crested pochard is a striking species of diving duck found across parts of Europe and Asia. Native to countries including Spain, France, Romania, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and western China, these colourful waterfowl inhabit freshwater lakes, reservoirs, marshes, and wetlands with abundant aquatic vegetation.
At Paignton Zoo you can find them in our aviary on the edge of the lake.
Conservation
Red-crested pochards have a large natural range across Europe and Asia, and the species is currently considered Least Concern. However, wetland drainage, pollution, habitat degradation, and disturbance at breeding sites can affect local populations in countries across their range.
The protection and restoration of wetlands, together with international conservation agreements for migratory waterbirds, help safeguard red-crested pochards and many other species that depend on healthy freshwater habitats.