is this a redheaded duck?

Redheaded duck?

Common Pochard?

A redhead duck is Aythya americana but whether it is this or a common pochard I do not know how to tell.

Looking at pictures of common pochard they seem to have a red iris whereas this bird has a yellow iris, also this bird just doesn't look quiet right for a pochard, I'm not sure why. Thanks for replies so far.

Agree. Also according to Scott's waterfowl- its a Redhead- due to the pale iris colour. Body colour is darker than European Pochard too.

Thanks for your help. I shall list it as a Redhead (and not a redheaded duck) a species I hadn't heard of until I came across this individual.

....red headed duck?

Redhead. Yellow eyes and a higher domed head than Common Pochard.

I was hoping to get an opinion from a bird oficionado, thanks. Axe valley has a variety of water fowl, very little of it labeled.

The Pochard always has red eyes, with a dark bill with a whitish band to the central region of the bill.

The Redhead will always have yellow eyes, with a light blue/grey bill that as a black/dark grey tip on the bill.

Another obvious difference between Redhead and a Common Pochard is that the Reddish hood goes further into the breast on the pochard when in the water the hood is just above the water line with a pochard and on the Redhead it’s only just onto the shoulders.
Also the Pochard grey/silver back feathers are more pronounced as the Redheads are slightly darker.

The Pochard also as a slightly longer tail of which the black/dark grey feathers are more constant to the tail only were as with the Redhead the darker feathers do actually go into the body at the rear of the bird.

hope this helps

Adrian

That's great, very informative, thanks. Now you've pointed it out I can see there is a clear difference in the bill colour. I could have done with your knowledge at Axe valley, there were some other ducks I couldn't identity and couldn't photograph. Their Zootierlist entries could do with a good update too.