Southern Pochard

Netta erythrophthalma
Pato Negro

Song

The Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma). Read in Spanish

Appearance: The Southern Pochard is a medium-sized duck measuring about 51 cm - 20 in length. It has a distinctive red eye and a reddish-brown head. The male ha s a grayish body with a black back, while the female has a brownish-grey body. Both sexes have a blue bill with a black tip and gray legs.

Habitat: In Colombia, the Southern Pochard is primarily found in freshwater wetland habitats such as marshes, lakes, lagoons, and slow-moving rivers. They prefer areas with dense emergent vegetation where they can dive for food and find suitable nesting sites. As of 500 m to 2200 m.

Behavior: Southern Pochards are diving ducks known for their ability to submerge and stay underwater for extended periods. They dive to feed on a variety of aquatic vegetation, seeds, insects, and small invertebrates. They are capable of flight and often be seen taking flight in small flocks. Seen in rice fields.

Breeding: Southern Pochards breed during the wet season, typically from April to September. They build nests concealed in dense vegetation near the water's edge. The female lays a clutch of about 6-10 eggs and incubates them for around 25-30 days. After hatching, the ducklings are led by the female to nearby water bodies.

Conservation Status: The Southern Pochard is considered Critically Endangered or Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Distribution

The Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma) has a limited distribution in Colombia. It is primarily found in the wetland areas of the eastern Andean region of the country. Here are some key regions where the Southern Pochard is known to occur in Colombia:

Santander Department: Wetland areas inander, particularly around Lake Tota and the La Rusia Nature Reserve, are important habitats for Southern Pochard.
Boyacá Department: Wetlands in Boyacá, including Sochagota, Lake Fúquene, and Tota, provide suitable habitats for the Southern Pochard
Cundinamarca Department: wetlands of Cundinamarca, such as Lake Guatav and Sumapaz Páramo, may also support populations of Southern Pochards.

The Southern Pochard's distribution in Colombia is localized and confined to specific wetland areas within these regions. Due to its endangered status, the species is not widely distributed across the country.
Conservation efforts in Colombia aim to preserve and restore the wetland habitats that support the Southern Pochard, as well as mitigate various threats to its population, such as habitat loss, pollution, and hunting.

Taxonomy

The Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma) is a species of diving duck that belongs to the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans. Here is the taxonomic classification of the Southern Pochard:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Netta
Species: Netta erythrophthalma

The Southern Pochard is the only species in the genus Netta. It is recognized as a distinct species based on its characteristic features, behavior, and genetic traits. It is noteworthy that within the family Anatidae, the Southern Pochard is classified under the subfamily Anatinae, which includes most of the dabbling ducks.

Vocalization

The vocalizations of the Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma) are primarily characterized by soft whistles, grunts, and quacking sounds. Here are some of the vocalizations commonly associated with this species:

Whistles: Southern Pochards are known to produce a variety of whistling calls. These whistles can range from high-pitched to low-pitched and can be used for various purposes, including communication between individuals and during courtship displays.
Grunts: Southern Pochards often emit short, low-pitched grunting sounds. These grunts are typically given as contact calls within a group or in response to disturbance or potential threats.
Quacking: Similar to many other ducks, Southern Pochards also produce quacking sounds. These quacks are often heard during social interactions, such as during courtship or territorial disputes.

While these vocalizations are common among Southern Pochards, it's important to note that the specific patterns and variations can vary between individuals and populations. Furthermore, vocalizations can also differ based on the context and behavioral circumstances in which they are produced.

Vocalizations play a vital role in communication, facilitating interactions between Southern Pochards for various purposes, including maintaining group cohesion, attracting mates, and warning of potential dangers.

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