Ferruginous Duck — Photo: Francis Franklin · CC BY-SA 3.0

Ducks, Swans, and Geese

Ferruginous Duck

Aythya nyroca

NTNear Threatened

Family: Ducks, Swans, and Geese (Anatidae)
Order: Anseriformes

Overview

The ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca), also known as the ferruginous pochard, common white-eye or white-eyed pochard, is a medium-sized diving duck native to the Palearctic. The scientific name is derived from the Ancient Greek word, αἴθυιᾰ (aithuia), an unknown seabird mentioned by authors including Hesychius and Aristotle, and the Russian word, нырок (nyrok), the Russian word for pochard, which occurs in the bird's Russian common name.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to see it

Destination guides featuring this bird

Jagdishpur Reservoir

Nepal Jagdishpur Reservoir A Ramsar-listed reservoir in the western Terai with large winter flocks of ducks and Sarus Cranes nearby.

JJanuary: Best
FFebruary: Best
MMarch: Good
AApril: Poor or no data
MMay: Poor or no data
JJune: Poor or no data
JJuly: Poor or no data
AAugust: Poor or no data
SSeptember: Poor or no data
OOctober: Poor or no data
NNovember: Good
DDecember: Best

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Nepal Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve Floodplain grassland and the Koshi barrage: Nepal's best wetland birding and a Ramsar site.

JJanuary: Best
FFebruary: Best
MMarch: Good
AApril: Good
MMay: Poor or no data
JJune: Poor or no data
JJuly: Poor or no data
AAugust: Poor or no data
SSeptember: Poor or no data
OOctober: Good
NNovember: Best
DDecember: Best

Range and habitat

Breeds discontinuously through southern Palearctic, from Spain through northeastern China; winters to India, southeastern Asia, and eastern China.

Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.