Southern Pochard

Netta erythrophthalma

Other Names

  African Pochard, Red-eyed Pochard, South African Pochard   Nette brune   Rotaugenente   Pato Morado     Bruine Krooneend   Fistione meridionale

World: Africa: from Ethiopia South to South Africa. South America: Venezuela; Brazil to Argentina.

Kenya: Fairly common on lakes in the central Rift Valley and western Highlands. Also found at Amboseli and Lake Jipe.

A gregarious bird, often seen in small flocks which, in Africa, prefers deepish open water. Some birds breed in Kenya but mostly a visitor between November and February. The male is similar in appearance to the Ferruginous Duck and the female Tufted Duck, but has a red eye rather than white (Ferruginous Duck) or Yellow (Tufted Duck).