Southern pochard

The Southern pochard is common, and has a population scattered across southern Africa. It lives in wetlands, where it feeds mainly on the seeds and leaves of aquatic plants. It is a monogamous, solitary nester, the female building its nest out of leaves and stems, placing it on embankments surrounded by dense vegetation. It lays 4-16 eggs, which are incubated solely by the female, for 20-28 days. The chicks, once hatched, are immediately led by their mother to water, where they are capable of diving and swimming. The brood fledge at 49-65 days old.