Australian White-eyed pochard / Hardhead

Aythya australis

Austr. witoogeend / Australische Moorente / Fuligule nyroca d'Australie

These White-eyed pochards are somewhat bigger then Ferruginous pochard (Aythya nyroca) and have darker colour. Although they originate the australian continent, they are hardy ducks that can easily be kept outside in winter when you are able to keep the pond unfrozen. They are fertile on the age of one year and lay 6 up to 8 eggs. The nest will be made in dense vegetation or possibly in nestboxes placed on the ground. De eggs will hatch after 25 to 27 eggs.

This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be fluctuating, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is very large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern (IUCN, 2009).

Above: Australian white-eyed duck, drake (male) in breeding plumage

Above: Australian white-eyed duck, drake (male) in breeding plumage

Above: Australian white-eyed duck, female

Above: four species of white-eyed pochards. Click the image to enlarge. 

Above: adult male Australian white-eyed pochard (August, captive, UK)

Above: adult male Australian white-eyed pochard, head-throw display (August). 

Above: adult male Australian white-eyed pochard, sneak-kinked-neck call display (August).

Above: adult female Australian white-eyed pochard (August, captive, UK)