Common Pochard (mounted taxidermy)

Object Status:

Extant

Accession Date:

By 1805

Primary Source Reference:

Charles Willson Peale, "A Walk through the Philad[elphi]a Museum" (1805-1806). Historical Society of Pennsylvania, coll. 0481.

Additional Source Text:

Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827) evidently had specimens of three commonly confused species: Common Pochard (A. ferina), Canvasback (A. valisineria), and Redhead (A. americana), which he distinguished based on bill shape in "A Walk Through the Philad[elphi]a Museum" (1805-1806): "The Pochard (a. Ferina) by some is thought to be the same [as the Canvasback], but a slight view of the bill will be sufficient to determine that they are a different species. A comparative view of the Beak of the Canvis-back with that of the Redhead Duck (a. Rufa) will [also] confirm a knowledge not easily mistaken although the plumage of both species are very similar" (Historical Society of Pennsylvania, coll. 0481).

Previously, in his 22nd Lecture, Peale had confused the Redhead and Common Pochard, while distinguishing the Canvasback. (Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Archives, coll. 40)

Specimen Type:

Dead/preserved

Current Common Name:

Common Pochard

Current Scientific Name

Anatidae | Aythya ferina