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ID Richmond Park, lakes, London, UK, 23/06/11, strange duck like bird (1 Viewer)

Hi

I am a beginner so the various plummages that ducks, geese etc go through I find confusing.

I was at Richmond Park by the main lakes today. There were Canada Geese, Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swans and some youngish Egyptian Geese (they didn't have eye patches but looked similar in other respects, had small. black marks on their chests).

There was a lone bird on the lake, mottled brown and white back which made me think it was a young bird, about the size of an adult Tufted Duck or slightly bigger.

But its head and front of the neck was pinky almost fleshy in colour with the back of its neck a dark green (sort of Mallard green). Dark eyes but the fleshy colour of the head gave way to almost white on top.

I've had a look around various sites but couldn't find anything approximating, which made me think it was a young bird (along with the mottled effect on its back and sides.

Any ideas?

Thanks
 
Ducks are very difficult, as you do get all sorts of Hybrids.
and introduced birds from around the world.
see if you can get a photo !

Steve
 
thanks

I just found my london wetlands colour guide and i think it was a red-headed pochard. the shape of the dark patch (shows black on the guide) is right and the shape of the head was ok. The top appeared brighter but the back seems right.

My camera batteries had just ran out, grrr. Might pop down in the week to see what i can photo.
 
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