Braggart of Bharatpur: Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck (Ferruginous Pochard) (Aythya nyroca) is a medium sized diving duck from Eurasia that migrates to winter in India. The drake’s plumage is characterised by a glossy, dark chestnut brown head, breast and flanks with a white belly. The irises are pale in the drake. Female has duller and darker brown plumage and dark irises. Unfortunately, its population has been reducing due to human induced habitat degradation as well as hunting and it is currently placed in the ‘near threatened’ category of IUCN.