Red-crested Pochard

The red-crested pochard is about the size of a mallard, 45–55 centimetres long and 800–1,500 grams, with a wingspan up to 90 centimetres. In breeding plumage the male is unmistakable, with a very conspicuous, thick rust-red head and a bright scarlet bill that stands out sharply against the head colour. The head looks disproportionately large and is emphasised by a loose crest. The breast, belly and undertail coverts are black, the flanks white, and the back and wings brown. In flight the white leading edge and broad white wing bar are obvious. (German Wikipedia, general species account)

It is a diving duck and can stay under water for up to 30 seconds. Its breeding range is continuous only in Central Asia; the European range is disjunct, with its centres in the western Mediterranean. The island-like occurrences in Central Europe arose because the species colonised the region only during the twentieth century, which is why Linnaeus did not know it. (German Wikipedia, general species account)