Madagascar Pochard
Aythya innotata
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<birdfyi-bird slug="aythya-innotata"></birdfyi-bird>The Madagascar Pochard (Aythya innotata) is a bird species in the family Anatidae (ducks, geese & swans), within the order Anseriformes (waterfowl). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 37.4 cm and a weight of 685 g. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Critically Endangered.
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About
One of the world's rarest ducks; considered possibly extinct until 2006 rediscovery. A small brown pochard with a white eye in males. Found on an extremely small highland lake in Madagascar. Critically Endangered; intensive conservation efforts underway to save the tiny wild population.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 37.4 cm | 14.7 in |
| Weight | 685.0 g | 24.16 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Males have brown head and neck; dark brown back; pale gray flanks with white undertail. White eye. Blue-gray bill. Females browner with pale face patch and brown eye. Critically endangered; rediscovered 2006 in Madagascar.
Habitat & Range
Restricted to Lake Matsaborimena in the highlands of northern Madagascar at about 1,500 m altitude. Uses deep-water mountain lakes with aquatic vegetation. Critically Endangered; tiny wild population.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Incubation: 26-28 days.
Clutch Size
6-10
Sound
Song
Critically Endangered; produces a soft, Aythya-like purring and grating quacking. Calls are not well-documented; likely similar to closely related Ferruginous Duck based on phylogeny.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes (Waterfowl) |
| Family | Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans) |
| Genus | Aythya |
| Species | Aythya innotata |
Distribution
Madagascar Pochard has been recorded in 1 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Madagascar Pochard live?
Is the Madagascar Pochard endangered?
How does the Madagascar Pochard nest?
What does the Madagascar Pochard sound like?
How big is the Madagascar Pochard?
What order and family does the Madagascar Pochard belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Anatidae family