Once a familiar sight on lakes and wetlands across northeastern China, Russia, and Southeast Asia, the Baer’s Pochard (Aythya baeri) has now slipped into the shadows of near-extinction. This diving duck, with its glossy dark green head, rich chestnut breast, and pale flanks, was once described as one of Asia’s most beautiful waterfowl. Today, it is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
The decline has been shocking. In the 1980s, Baer’s Pochards were still fairly widespread, but by the early 2000s, winter counts had dropped dramatically—sometimes only a few dozen birds recorded across the whole of their former range. Habitat destruction is the primary culprit: wetlands drained for agriculture, industrial development, and urban expansion have robbed the species of its breeding and feeding grounds. On top of this, hunting for food and egg collection worsened the decline.
What makes Baer’s Pochard particularly vulnerable is its dependence on shallow lakes with abundant vegetation. These wetlands are among the first ecosystems to be drained or polluted as human populations grow. Even surviving sites often face disturbance from fishing, reed-cutting, and pollution.
Conservationists have sounded the alarm: the species may now number fewer than 1,000 individuals worldwide. But there is a glimmer of hope. Small breeding populations have been confirmed in northeastern China, and conservation groups are working to protect wetlands, establish monitoring programs, and raise awareness across its range. International efforts—especially in China, Bangladesh, and Myanmar—are vital to halt its decline.
The Baer’s Pochard is more than just a duck; it’s a symbol of Asia’s vanishing wetlands. Saving it means saving an entire ecosystem that countless other species rely upon.
