On March 10, 2025 the Ministry of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic puts into circulation a Kyrgyz Express Post postage stamp: "Bird of the Year (VI). The Common Pochard".
The Kyrgyz Wildlife Conservation Society (KWCS) has chosen the Common Pochard as The Bird of the Year in Kyrgyzstan for 2024.
The Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) is a waterfowl that belongs to the so-called diving ducks. One of the characteristic features of these ducks is their ability to dive to depths of up to 2.5 meters and remain underwater for relatively long periods (on average about 20 seconds). The Common Pochard feeds on both plant and animal matter, with its diet changing depending on the season and habitat.
In Kyrgyzstan, the Common Pochard is mainly found wintering on Lake Issyk-Kul, and nests on other mountain lakes.
Although the Common Pochard is not listed in the Kyrgyz Republic Red Data Book, KWCS calls for the protection of this bird species as an integral part of the country's biodiversity.
As always, KEP expresses gratitude to KWCS and especially to its chairman, Sergey Kulagin, for valuable consulting assistance in the preparation of this issue of postage stamps. The charitable proceeds from the sale of this KEP stamp will be transferred to the fund of KWCS.
