Rosy Billed Pochard Ducks

Rosy Billed Pochard Duck 

A PAIR is a male/female pair of unrelated birds.

• Breeding season Mid may into June
• Clutch size 8-12 eggs
• Incubation period 26-28 days
• 2-2.25 pounds 

Rosy Billed Pochards or Rosebills are unmistakable ducks and could be called the most striking of all the species of South American ducks. Drakes have a big bright red bill with a prominent knob, with green-sheened dark slate upperparts and contrasting light gray lower parts, with lots of stippling. Female Rosy Billed Pochards are much more subtle in coloring and have a slate-colored bill.

Rosy Billed Pochards are considered diving ducks due to their leg placement, which set far back on the body and makes them awkward walkers on land. And although they dive, they are very adept at dabbling as one of the main ways they acquire food.

Rosy Billed Pochards are native to South America and have a huge range across all of southern South America, from Argentina and Central Chile up through Paraguay into Brazil.They are mostly found in fresh water lakes, large ponds, and swamps. They tend to be attracted to shallow water with abundant floating vegetation.

Housing Requirements: Rosy Billed Pochard Ducks require swimming water. They are active swimmers and foragers in water and spend almost all of their lives swimming. A natural pond would be good, but netting or enclosing them may be necessary, so they are not able to fly away. They get along well with other waterfowl and are easy to raise. They will need protection from predators and some sort of winter shelter will be necessary for areas with harsh winters.

Diet: These ducks eat mostly aquatic vegetable matter, including seeds, roots, and leaves which are acquired mostly through dabbling. Rosy Billed Pochards will do well foraging, and their diet in captivity can consist of a waterfowl or game bird feed supplemented with greens.