Southern Pochard
EN

Southern Pochard

Netta erythrophthalma

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_pochard

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Southern Pochard faces severe population declines across its African range due to widespread wetland degradation and loss. Agricultural expansion, urban development, and water extraction have eliminated or degraded critical breeding and feeding habitats. Hunting pressure remains significant in many regions, while introduced fish species and pollution further compromise remaining wetland ecosystems.

Threat summary

Habitat

Southern Pochards inhabit shallow freshwater wetlands, including natural lakes, seasonal pans, farm dams, and sewage treatment works across sub-Saharan Africa. They prefer waters with abundant submerged vegetation and invertebrate prey, typically at elevations below 2000 meters.

Other threatened species in Anatidae

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Oxyura jamaicensis

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Southern Pochard classified as Endangered?
Southern Pochard is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Southern Pochard faces severe population declines across its African range due to widespread wetland degradation and loss. Agricultural expansion, urban development, and water extraction have eliminated or degraded critical breeding and feeding habitats. Hunting pressure remains significant in many regions, while introduced fish species and pollution further compromise remaining wetland ecosystems.
Where does Southern Pochard live?
Southern Pochard occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Southern Pochard?
The main threats to Southern Pochard are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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