DUCK ID PLEASE ...... (1 Viewer)

[RGS]

Hi
Im very uncertain about these two ducks i photoed yesterday, in a UK gravel pit (Derbyshire). They were at a distance so these shots didnt come out very clear, but im hoping an experienced person could ID them for me...TIA
ps... i dont think they are mallard, they are smaller and not the right marking?.. i may be wrong though as im unfamiliar with juveniles.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

They are Teal. The white fleck on the side of the tail is a helpful feature.

 

[JayFeatherPL]

Common teal - the smallest european duck

They are Teal. The white fleck on the side of the tail is a helpful feature.

And by the way Andrew, I thought other ducks (especially mallards) cal also show this white stripe on the side of the tail? I'm probably wrong, but that's what I saw in some female mallards...

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Common teal - the smallest european duck


And by the way Andrew, I thought other ducks (especially mallards) cal also show this white stripe on the side of the tail? I'm probably wrong, but that's what I saw in some female mallards...

They can sometimes, although it's not the consistent feature it is in Teal and is usually a different shape and less clear cut. In the field, the size difference is obviously going to be helpful. It's a very helpful feature to distinguish from e.g. Garganey and other small to medium sized ducks.

 

[JayFeatherPL]

They can sometimes, although it's not the consistent feature it is in Teal and is usually a different shape and less clear cut. In the field, the size difference is obviously going to be helpful. It's a very helpful feature to distinguish from e.g. Garganey and other small to medium sized ducks.

Thank you very much for this helpful answer!

 

[paddyluke]

i thought that it could be Gadwall?

 

[JayFeatherPL]

i thought the could be Gadwall?

Just like Andrew said, this bird has whites stripes on sides of the tail, which gadwalls don't have. I can add, that this bird's face looks quite plain (gadwall's face is stripy), chin and throat aren't that clear and bright like in gadwall + the bill is rather small, it doesn't look massive, like gadwall's bill.