Common Pochard
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Aythya ferina
Scarce breeder of 60 pairs & fairly common & widespread winter visitor of 38,000, mostly during August-April in Britain & Ireland.
They also breed in North East Europe, Siberia & Iceland.
The Male has a chestnut-coloured head and neck, a black breast and tail, and a pale grey body, marked with fine vermiculations.
His bill is dark grey, with a wide blue-grey band across the middle.
His iris is yellow-orange to red, growing brighter in the breeding season.
The legs and feet are grey in both sexes and all ages.
The female's iris is brown, sometimes tending towards yellowish-brown.
The juvenile's iris is yellow-olive, but attains its adult colour during the first winter.
The call is a krrr—if a Female is flushed.