Is the red-headed pochard a protected wild animal?

Red-headed pochards are commonly found in reeds and open water with good cover. During the winter, they are active in open lakes and reservoirs. They often form small groups of 10-30 individuals or move in mixed groups with crested pochards, shovel-billed ducks, etc. They often move in groups, especially during the migration season and winter. Sometimes mixed with other ducks. Let’s take a look at whether the red-headed pochard is a protected wild animal? Is the red-headed pochard a protected wild animal?

1. Yes. On August 1, 2000, it was included in the "List of Terrestrial Wild Animals Protected by the State that is Beneficial or of Important Economic and Scientific Research Value" issued by the State Forestry Administration of China.

2. In September 2020, the State Forestry and Grassland Administration issued the "Notice on Standardizing the Classification and Management Scope of Fasted Wild Animals", prohibiting the breeding activities of these animals for the purpose of food, except for appropriate reserved species. Except for special circumstances such as sources of infection, farmers will be guided to stop breeding.

3. Appearance characteristics: Red-headed pochard (scientific name: Aythya ferina) has a body length of 42-49 cm, a wingspan of 72-82 cm, a weight of 700-1100 grams, and a lifespan of 10 years. The head of the male duck is reddish brown and round, the chest and shoulders are black, the other parts are mostly light brown, and most of the wing mirrors are white. Females are mostly light brown, with gray wings and gray abdomen. The lower feathers of young male ducks are darker, similar to those of females. The male's body coverts are the same as those of the female, but the red color on the head and neck is lighter. The eyes are bright red or reddish brown; the beak is blue-black; the feet are blue-gray or lead gray; the webbed joints and claws are black. It seldom calls and is a deep-water bird. It is good at folding its wings and diving. Omnivorous, it mainly feeds on aquatic plants, fish, shrimp and shellfish.

4. Red-headed pochard: It has good diving skills and spends the winter on the coast or in larger lakes. Breeds in Britain, southern Scandinavia, southern Siberia in Europe, Mongolia and China. Overwintering in southern Europe, northern Africa, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indochina, China and Japan.

This concludes the introduction to the relevant content about whether the red-headed pochard is a protected wild animal.