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Birds by name
Conservation status: Introduced
Larger than a pochard, the male has an orange-brown head with a red beak and pale flanks. Females are brown with pale cheeks. In flight they show whitish primaries. They dive, dabble and up-end for their food. There is a large population in Spain and nearer but smaller numbers in France, Netherlands and Germany - and occasional wild birds may come to the UK from the Continent. The UK breeding birds almost certainly all come from escaped birds.
Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Found mainly in southern and eastern England, where breeding populations have become established following excapes from captivity. Occasional wild birds may occur in places like Abberton Reservoir, Essex.
All year round
Stems, roots and seeds of aquatic vegetation.
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.
Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.