IanF
Moderator
A resident on my local pond, the only one present. Hangs around the Tufted Ducks and is a diver just like them.
It has no tuft and the head is a Pochard brown darkening down to an almost black chest. It looks dark brown in the photos taken in overcast conditions but it is actually quite markedly russet brown. On the pond the eye looked as if it glowed red, but on the photos it's two tone - red outer and yellow inner. The flanks and back are clearly two tone grey.
Me thinks it may be a Pochard / Tufted Duck hybrid, though it is diffrent to those listed in my Collins. Naturally I'd like it to be a Redhead as some have been claimed locally, but I have my doubts.
Two photos enclosed.
Anyone else offer an opinion ?
Mystery Duck
It has no tuft and the head is a Pochard brown darkening down to an almost black chest. It looks dark brown in the photos taken in overcast conditions but it is actually quite markedly russet brown. On the pond the eye looked as if it glowed red, but on the photos it's two tone - red outer and yellow inner. The flanks and back are clearly two tone grey.
Me thinks it may be a Pochard / Tufted Duck hybrid, though it is diffrent to those listed in my Collins. Naturally I'd like it to be a Redhead as some have been claimed locally, but I have my doubts.
Two photos enclosed.
Anyone else offer an opinion ?
Mystery Duck