American Black Duck? (1 Viewer)

[Oldnintheway]

I was walking the dog today in a usual place along the water.n There are typically hundreds of American Wigeon here and a few Eurasian mixed in. I snapped a few shots of a long log covered with Wigeon and a few Mallards. I only noticed this bird at home looking at pics on the computer. It looks like a Black Duck to me. Pretty rare here. I didn't find any reports on ebird here in Kitsap County, Washington. Pics are not the best. I'll return tomorrow if the rain subsides to have another look.

 

[Butty]

Mallard. Black duck has a different scaly feather-pattern which your field guide will show.

 

[Farnboro John]

Mallard. The last shot shows the big white borders to the speculum, absent in Black Duck. The drake Mallard next to it is a bit of a clue too.

John

 

[qwerty5]

Also note the orange bill. American Black Ducks have pale yellow/greenish bills.

 

[Oldnintheway]

Thanks all!