Ferruginous Duck Bird Details
Aythya nyroca
Ferruginous Duck,Ferruginous Pochard, White-eyed Pochard;
Bhura Batak
Guldenstadt, 1770
Anseriformes (DUCKS)
Anatidae
Aythya
Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, India (Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, wetlands of Punjab, Haryana, Assam, and West Bengal), Pakistan, Bangladesh, and parts of Africa. .
Appearance :
Medium-sized diving duck with a distinctive reddish-brown (ferruginous) plumage. Males have rich chestnut plumage with a dark back and white under tail. Females are duller with paler flanks. Both sexes have white bellies and distinctive white eyes.
Behaviour :
Generally social, often found in small flocks. More solitary during the breeding season. Pairs or small groups can be seen diving for food.
Habitat :
Prefers shallow freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers with dense vegetation. Sometimes seen in brackish waters during migration. Nests in reed beds or dense aquatic vegetation.
Diet :
Primarily feeds on aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates. Diet may include small fish, crustaceans, and insects, which they forage for while diving.
Conservation Status :
Near Threatened
Distribution :
The Ferruginous Duck is found across southern and eastern Europe, parts of central Asia, and migrates to southern Asia in the winter.
Population Size :
Estimated at around 63,000–125,000 individuals globally, but populations are declining.
Life Span :
Average life span of 10–15 years in the wild.
Body And Tarsus:
- Body: The Ferruginous Duck is a medium-sized diving duck with a robust body and distinctive coloration.
- Tarsus Length: About 4.5–5.3 cm.
Head And Bill :
- Head: Rounded with a slight crest.
- Eyes: Bright yellow, giving a striking appearance against the dark plumage.
- Bill: Broad and slightly hooked at the tip, with a characteristic dark coloration.
- Bill Length: Approximately 4.1–5.2 cm.
Length :
Approximately 35–43 cm in length (14–17 inches).
Neck :
Short and stocky, blending smoothly into the body.
Size :
Medium-sized diving duck
Tail Details :
- Tail: Short and rounded.
- Tail Length: About 8–10 cm.
- Feathers: Rich chestnut-brown plumage with a darker head and lighter underparts; males and females have different plumage during the breeding season.
Weight :
Typically weighs between 600–1,200 grams (1.3–2.6 lbs).
Wing :
The wings are relatively short and rounded, suitable for rapid flight over water.
Wing Span :
typically ranges from 75 to 85 cm (approximately 30 to 33 inches).
Facial Feature :
Distinctive facial markings, with males showing more contrast in coloration.
Nest Details :
- Nest: Usually built on the ground near water, often concealed in vegetation.
- Nest Made Up Of: Reeds, grasses, and other aquatic vegetation.
Breeding Season :
Generally occurs in late spring to early summer.
Nesting Season :
Typically from May to June.
Egg Color :
Pale bluish-green or buff.
Egg Length :
About 4.5–6.0 cm.
Egg Width and Weight :
- Egg Width: About 3.2–4.0 cm.
- Egg Weight: Approximately 40–50 grams
Clutch Size :
Ranges from 6 to 12 eggs.
No. of Broods :
Usually one brood per year
Incubation Period :
About 25–28 days.
Nestling Period :
Young typically fledge at 50–60 days.
Vocalization :
Soft and low quacking sounds, especially during mating displays.
Sex Demorphism :
Males have brighter plumage than females, particularly during the breeding season.
Migration Details :
- Migration Pattern: Generally migratory; some populations are resident.
- Migration Period: Typically migrates in autumn (September–November) and returns in spring (March–May).
- Migration Route: Moves from breeding grounds in Eastern Europe and Asia to wintering areas in southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East.
