Armapashis - pochard

It is a species of wild duck that "comes to Cyprus in winter. The male has a deep reddish-brown colour on the head and neck, and eyes as red as rubies. The chest and the lower part of the tail are black, while the back and belly are greyish brown. The legs are grey-blue. The female is brown in colour, with whitish tones on the face. It is about 18cm in size. The armapáshis is a duck that dives for food. It swims with its head and neck in the water. It usually searches for food at dawn and sunset. It breeds in Europe and Asia and winters in Mediterranean countries and Africa. It is a freshwater duck, but is often found in salt water. In Cyprus it is found in the water dams of Athalassa, Kouklia, Germasogeia and Kokkinokremos, as well as in the lakes near Famagusta and Archangelos, in the salt lakes of Larnaca and Limassol and in the swamps of Syrianochori' (Great Encyclopedia of Cyprus, vol. 2, entry αρμαπάσ΄ιης,ο, 308).