Red-crested pochard

    Netta rufina

Castilian: Pato colorado

Catalan: Xibec

Gallego: Pato rubio

Euskera: Ahate gorrizta

CLASIFICACIÓN:

Orden: Anseriformes

Family: Anatidae

Migratory status: Permanent resident

CONSERVATION STATUS:

In the 2004 edition of the Red Book of Spanish Birds (Libro Rojo de las Aves de España) it is listed as “Vulnerable”.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

listen song

THREATS

Loss of habitat due aquifer overexploitation and vegetation burning, hunting, drought, botulism, lead poisoning, etc.

Length / size: 53-57 cm / 85-90 cm

Identification: It is a large diving duck. During mating season, the male's head and part of his neck are reddish-chestnut brown, his bill is coral-coloured; the rest of his neck, breast and rump are black, his back is brown, and his flanks and the edges of his wings are white. In flight the white spots on his flanks stand out, in contrast with the rest of the body, which is black. The female is a brownish colour, with the sides of her neck being white and her bill dark grey with pinkish spots.

Song: Quite silent, similar to a sneeze, "baehht"..

Diet: Its diet includes underwater aquatic plants, although it also feeds on tadpoles, larvae and minnows.

Reproduction: The breeding period takes place between April and August. The female builds the nest on the ground in the vegetation and near the water, and it is made of leaves, reeds and down. The chicks feed themselves after being born, despite being cared for by their mother.

HABITAT

It is a demanding species, and it prefers large freshwater or saltwater areas with abundant vegetation in its banks.

DISTRIBUTION

In Spain: It is distributed in the wetland areas of La Mancha, the Mediterranean coast, and in the marshes of the Guadalquivir.

In Castile and León: The Monteagudo swamp (Soria) is the only place where it is known to breed and winter. It also frequently winters in Villafáfila (Zamora) and the Ebro swamp (Burgos).

Movements and migrations: The Iberian population can travel long distances depending on the availbility of food and the depth and size of the bodies of water.

POPULATION

In Spain: There is an estimated population of 4000 breeding pairs.

In Castile and León: Scarce population of nesting and wintering specimens.