Baer's Pochard
BAER'S POCHARD
Aythya baeri
Family Anatidae
Critically Endangered
rare, accidental
L 430 mm (17"), wingspan 765 mm (30")
Bird # 471 - February 2015
The Baer's Pochard is a freshwater lake-dwelling diving duck. In 2013 it was classified by the IUCN as Critically Endangered. It is described in BirdingAsia as "on the brink of extinction in the wild". It is one of the rarest ducks in Asia. From BirdingAsia: "The statement by Wang et al. (2012) that "we fear that the global population is now less than 1000 individuals and could be very much lower than this', appears to be accurate -- on current evidence there could be less than 100 individuals in the wild." From The Baer's Pochard is a freshwater lake-dwelling diving duck. In 2013 it was classified by the IUCN as Critically Endangered. Birdlife International estimates its population size as 150-700 mature individuals. From Birdlife International: "This species is classified as Critically Endangered as it is apparently undergoing a extremely rapid population decline, as measured by numbers on both the breeding and wintering grounds. It is now absent or occurs in extremely reduced numbers over the majority of its former breeding and wintering grounds and is common nowhere. It is thought that hunting and wetland destruction are the key reasons for its decline." (BirdLife International (2015) Species factsheet: Aythya baeri. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 04/02/2015.)
The Kennedy guide mentions one record of Baer's Pochard in the Philippines when a pair was seen in Candaba in 4 March 1979. After that WBCP documented it in November 1999 in Ninoy Aquino Park Lake, Quezon City and 19 February 2003 in Bislig, Mindanao. This 2015 sighting was first reported by Robert Hutchinson, Irene Dy, and Martin Kennewell on February 1, 2015.
We observed this individual over two days. It was frequently in the company of the Common Pochard male and females. We observed it diving, swimming, and resting. When resting, it stayed near the other ducks.
The Baer's Pochard has pale eyes, greenish black head and neck, dark reddish brown mantle, chestnut breast forming a complete band, back to tail dark blackish brown, greyish brown belly, white sides, undertail coverts and wing lining. It also has a small white spot under the chin.
Read MoreAythya baeri
Family Anatidae
Critically Endangered
rare, accidental
L 430 mm (17"), wingspan 765 mm (30")
Bird # 471 - February 2015
The Baer's Pochard is a freshwater lake-dwelling diving duck. In 2013 it was classified by the IUCN as Critically Endangered. It is described in BirdingAsia as "on the brink of extinction in the wild". It is one of the rarest ducks in Asia. From BirdingAsia: "The statement by Wang et al. (2012) that "we fear that the global population is now less than 1000 individuals and could be very much lower than this', appears to be accurate -- on current evidence there could be less than 100 individuals in the wild." From The Baer's Pochard is a freshwater lake-dwelling diving duck. In 2013 it was classified by the IUCN as Critically Endangered. Birdlife International estimates its population size as 150-700 mature individuals. From Birdlife International: "This species is classified as Critically Endangered as it is apparently undergoing a extremely rapid population decline, as measured by numbers on both the breeding and wintering grounds. It is now absent or occurs in extremely reduced numbers over the majority of its former breeding and wintering grounds and is common nowhere. It is thought that hunting and wetland destruction are the key reasons for its decline." (BirdLife International (2015) Species factsheet: Aythya baeri. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 04/02/2015.)
The Kennedy guide mentions one record of Baer's Pochard in the Philippines when a pair was seen in Candaba in 4 March 1979. After that WBCP documented it in November 1999 in Ninoy Aquino Park Lake, Quezon City and 19 February 2003 in Bislig, Mindanao. This 2015 sighting was first reported by Robert Hutchinson, Irene Dy, and Martin Kennewell on February 1, 2015.
We observed this individual over two days. It was frequently in the company of the Common Pochard male and females. We observed it diving, swimming, and resting. When resting, it stayed near the other ducks.
The Baer's Pochard has pale eyes, greenish black head and neck, dark reddish brown mantle, chestnut breast forming a complete band, back to tail dark blackish brown, greyish brown belly, white sides, undertail coverts and wing lining. It also has a small white spot under the chin.
BAER'S POCHARD
BAER'S POCHARD, male Aythya baeri Candaba, Pampanga, Philippines
