Netta erythrophthalma

The Southern Pochard is a species of duck found in both Africa and South America. They occur naturally in wetlands with deep water and lots of water plants but have also adapted to farm dams and sewage treatment works. They feed on seeds and leaves, usually taken from the water by diving and dabbling.

Southern Pochards may breed throughout the year in response to favourable conditions. Pairs are monogamous. The female constructs the bowl-shaped nest on the ground, well hidden by the surrounding vegetation, near the water’s edge. She may lay clutches of more than a dozen eggs, one per day, before starting to incubate them. The chicks then hatch after 3-4 weeks and can swim and dive almost straight away. The growing chicks can feed themselves and eat a lot more insects and other invertebrates than their parents do. They can fly by the time they’re about 2 months old.

Despite mentioning a declining population, the IUCN considers the Southern Pochard to be of least concern. In South Africa they’re found at suitable habitat in all our provinces with most of the population centred on the Highveld and in the Western Cape. These are nomadic birds, often making treks of up to 3,000km in search of watery habitats that suit their requirements.