Duck from Lancashire, UK (1 Viewer)

[Himalaya]

I remember taking this photo because the duck on the right appeared slightly bigger than the Eurasian Teals nearby. It was taken in mid-August. It is the only photo I have. My opinion based on what I can see of the spectrum patch and the lighter underbelly corresponds with Garganey. What do others say?

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
the right bird is a Eurasian Teal imo. please note

• white stripe in the under-tail in a perfect position and shape for a Teal: centered below the base of the teal and broad=the slightest kind of wedge-shaped
• it could well be that fine hues/pattern on the breast can be burned out by overexposure
• yes, its a hard a hard picture for me too, but I cant find anything against a Teal here (yes not a feature here).
• the Teal on the left is further away than the right Teal (but yes size illusion, males are on average larger, ....)

 

[THE_FERN]

We're absolutely sure it's not an eclipse gadwall..? The grey and white patch and apparent size suggests that to me

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
I must admit that Gadwall was my first impression too, but a closer look revealed:

• muddy-greenish tinged yellow legs (not pure, bright chrome- or orange-yellow)
• the white Teal-patch under the tail
• the white patch in the wing is on the right area for a Teal and thus on the wrong place for a Gadwall

Yes, I agree with The Fern, that picture quality and variation in Gadwall and Teal must be considered, but another explenation is, that the mentioned features are real and therefore this is a quite regular Teal in an ID-unfriendly position.