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Help with Black Duck ID please (1 Viewer)

Gus Horsley

Gus Horsley

Well-known member
Hi

Whilst birdwatching at Porth Reservoir (Cornwall) today we spotted 2 ducks that we have been unable to identify. Both were sooty black in colour (bellies slightly paler) with black beaks and dark eyes. Both had very white bibs. There was also a one feather white flash on the end of the folded wing. During flight the underneath of the wing was also black. They were sticking closely to a male mallard; size wise they were just marginally smaller. Could they be hybrids and if so of what?

Cheers Gus
 
Last edited:
Hi Gus
The birds you have discribed,sound to me to be domestic duck that have gone feral.
These melanistic birds are a crossbreed mallard which will quite readily pair back to mallard.
Hope this helps.
Regards Roger.
 
Hi Roger
Sounds feasible to me - I couldn't find them in any wild bird book and there are farms all around the site.

Cheers
Gus

roger hill said:
Hi Gus
The birds you have discribed,sound to me to be domestic duck that have gone feral.
These melanistic birds are a crossbreed mallard which will quite readily pair back to mallard.
Hope this helps.
Regards Roger.
Click to expand...
 
Just a thought - Brent Geese aren't a lot bigger than a Mallard and can look quite duck like when swimming.

Richard
 
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