The Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina) is a striking and easily recognizable diving duck, best known for the male’s bright orange, rounded head, vivid red bill, and contrasting black chest with pale flanks. Females are more subdued, showing a soft brown coloration with a darker crown and pale cheeks. This species favors freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and sheltered wetlands where it can dive to feed on aquatic vegetation, seeds, and small invertebrates. In the UAE, it is an uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant, typically recorded in well-established wetland habitats such as Al Qudra Lakes and other inland water bodies. Red-crested Pochards are generally quiet and often form small groups, spending much of their time on open water, diving or resting, and occasionally associating with other duck species during migration periods.