SOUTHERN POCHARD Netta erythrophthalma

The third species of Netta, which is seemingly a genus connecting dabbling ducks with true Pochards. Of the three this seem to be the most Pochard-like in appearence. Two subspecies are found, with a strange distribution, in Africa and South America. The African race brunnea is the more numerous of the two, breeding from Ethiopia in a broad band to South Africa. It is resident although there is some dispersal north in the dry season. The nominate is now very rare, a formerly large range is now lacking data, and birds may only breed in Venezuela and eastern Brazil. The only wild birds are the group of three taken in South Africa.

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