In the wild, they can be found in scattered populations in Europe and Asia. They breed in central Europe, including France and Spain, east in scattered populations to western Siberia. They Winter along the Mediterranean Coast, the Black and Caspian Seas south into India and Burma. I have heard others say that this species resembles the Redhead , but only slightly. The drake's face is dark red, while the rest of the head is bright red-orange and it forms into a bushy crest.
Hens are somewhat similar to other pochard hens, but white cheeks on a dark brown head.
The rest of her body is light brown to buff. Breeding Red-crested Pochards are very easy to breed in aviaries and free range on small ponds. Hens will use nesting boxes or will nest among vegetation. The hens are great mothers can be allowed to hatch and raise her own young. If raised in a brooder, you will need to house the young Red-crested Pochards apart from other species, as they can be aggressive.