Size: Length; 53-57cm. Weight; 1.1kg.

Age: Up to 22 years.

Habitat and distribution: Large freshwater lakes from the Black Sea and Turkey through to north western China and western Mongolia.

Groups and breeding:  Usually found in small groups but forms large flocks during moulting and wintering. Nests are built close to the waterside on the ground hidden amongst the vegetation. As incubation nears completion, the males leave to moult leaving the females to rear the 8-12 young. Incubation lasts around 25 days and young fledge after 50-55 days.

Diet: Stems, roots and seeds of aquatic plants.

• This is the largest of the pochards and is seen as intermediate between the pochard species and dabbling ducks.
• The scientific name comes from the Latin meaning red necked duck, as the male has an obvious orange head, neck and crest.
• During courtship, the male will ‘feed’ the female, however she still has to swim to him to get it!
• One of the 147 species of the Anatidae family, which are all ducks, geese and swans, more commonly known as wildfowl or waterfowl.
• Waterfowl bodies are adapted for a highly aquatic life, with webbed feet for swimming and a body shaped to improve buoyancy in the water and a thick covering of feathers for insulation. Different species specialise to fill different niches.  
• All species have an oil-gland which is used whilst preening to maintain waterproofing of their feathers; the oil-gland is highly developed in this family.
• All species have salt glands above each eye, which filter the blood and excrete excess salt.
• Wildfowl have had a long association with humans; the Mallard is the direct ancestor of almost all current breeds of domestic duck. Humans utilise this family for meat, eggs, and feathers and in some countries ducks are even kept around houses to control insect numbers.