Birds Around Me 0017 - Red-crested Pochard लाल चोँच (Netta rufina)

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Yesterday, if I would have asked for something special, I would have got. It was really hot in the UK, without any breeze. It felt like India and I was feeling a bit homesick. I was missing India monsoons, my favorite season, and the time of the year. A lot happens all over, all across the country. And my wish was granted, while on a birding walk, all of a sudden without much warning heavy rains started after brief thunderstorms and lightning. The fragrance of flowers and hot battered earth reminded me of the time back home in India.

Male Red-crested Pochard लाल चोँच (Netta rufina) Stockers Lake, Rickmansworth, U.K. Jan 2022
Male Red-crested Pochard लाल चोँच (Netta rufina) 
Stockers Lake, Rickmansworth, U.K.
Jan 2022

It was good day with birding as well, not many birds but sufficient time with a few of them. A flock of about 28 Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina) at Stocker's Lake was a nice surprise. I was hiding from the rain under the tree and all of sudden saw bright gold and red. 

Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina)
Stocker's Lake, Rickmansworth, UK
13-Aug-2020

Red-crested Pochard लाल चोँच (Netta rufina) are diving ducks of larger lakes, a native of Europe & Asia but introduced in the UK and now quite a few breed here. Males are striking and unmistakable with large, rounded, rusty-orange head, long red bill, and black breast. Female rather drab but distinctive dirty buff overall with pale cheeks, dark face, and rounded brown cap. 

A beautiful bird of legends & stories believed to be carrying the blood of demons after a long battle in the Himalayas. When the army of demons attacked Kailash, it was blood all over. These ducks were summoned by Parvati to make sure the stream of blood doesn't mix with river Ganga. Also, know as रक्त-चूष बतख (bloodsucking duck).

-- Ashutosh Jhureley @BirdsAroundMe

Also see Birds Around Me 0198 - Common Pochard लाल सिर, पोछड, रंगा मुरिया (Aythya ferina):  https://birds.rekabira.in/2022/08/birds-around-me-0198-common-pochard.html

Unfinished List of Birds (पक्षियों की अपूर्ण सूची): https://birds.rekabira.in/p/this-is-list-of-birds-i-clicked-since.html


Male Red-crested Pochard लाल चोँच (Netta rufina) Stockers Lake, Rickmansworth, U.K. Jan 2022
Male Red-crested Pochard लाल चोँच (Netta rufina) 
Stockers Lake, Rickmansworth, U.K.
Jan 2022

Female & Male Red-crested Pochard लाल चोँच (Netta rufina) Stockers Lake, Rickmansworth, U.K. Jan 2022
Female & Male Red-crested Pochard लाल चोँच (Netta rufina) 
Stockers Lake, Rickmansworth, U.K.
Jan 2022

Female & Male Red-crested Pochard लाल चोँच (Netta rufina) Stockers Lake, Rickmansworth, U.K. Jan 2022
Female & Male Red-crested Pochard लाल चोँच (Netta rufina) 
Stockers Lake, Rickmansworth, U.K.
Jan 2022

Male Red-crested Pochard लाल चोँच (Netta rufina) Stockers Lake, Rickmansworth, U.K. Jan 2022
Male Red-crested Pochard लाल चोँच (Netta rufina) 
Stockers Lake, Rickmansworth, U.K.
Jan 2022


Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina) Stocker's Lake, Rickmansworth, UK 13-Aug-2020
Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina)
Stocker's Lake, Rickmansworth, UK
13-Aug-2020

Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina) Stocker's Lake, Rickmansworth, UK 13-Aug-2020
Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina)
Stocker's Lake, Rickmansworth, UK
13-Aug-2020

Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina) Stocker's Lake, Rickmansworth, UK 13-Aug-2020
Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina)
Stocker's Lake, Rickmansworth, UK
13-Aug-2020

Red-crested Pochard लाल चोँच (Netta rufina)
Male Red-crested Pochard लाल चोँच (Netta rufina) 

Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina) Stocker's Lake, Rickmansworth, UK 13-Aug-2020
Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina)
Stocker's Lake, Rickmansworth, UK
13-Aug-2020

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