Baer's pochard
Aythya baeri
Baer’s pochard are one of the most critically endangered ducks in the world - it is estimated that just 300 of these wonderful birds remain in the wild.
Historically, they had a widespread range in eastern Asia but today they are found mostly in China in small numbers. The species has undergone a rapid decline in recent decades, pushing this duck to the edge of extinction facing threats such as habitat loss and hunting.
We have one Baer’s pochard named Patricia - she born in 2015 at Chester Zoo, moving to Edinburgh Zoo later that year.
Population
Decreasing
Diet
Omnivore
Habitat
Rivers and wetlands
Fact file
Baer’s pochards risk becoming the first widespread continental duck to become extinct
They are a species of diving duck, meaning they mainly feed by diving below the surface of the water to find aquatic plants and molluscs
These ducks can dive for 40 seconds
How we're helping
Like all the animals in our care, Patricia is an amazing ambassador for her relatives in the wild and helps hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.
As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the zoo and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health, to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.
Find out more about RZSS conservation
