Pochard (Red-crested)

male

A Pochard is a diving duck and found mainly in southern and eastern England. The adult male is unmistakable. It has a rounded orange head, red bill and black breast. They feed mainly by diving or dabbling. They eat aquatic plants, and typically upend for food more than most diving ducks.

female

Red-crested Pochard builds a nest by the lakeside among vegetation and lays 8-12 pale green eggs. These Pochards were found in the Reid Zoo in Tucson, swimming and sharing their waterways with Mallards.

Photographed at Reid Zoo, Tucson, AZ