Duck, Poole Harbour, Dorset (1 Viewer)

[pooleparrot]

Saw this duck this morning at Holes Bay, Poole Harbour. It was associating with a group of Shelduck.

 

[Hotspur]

Looks like a Cape Shelduck escapee that has tagged on with some congeners

 

[stonechat1]

Seconded

 

[myoudale]

thirded

 

[Dave Appleton]

Sorry to disagree, but this isn't a Cape Shelduck. The head is too dark and the pattern of white is not right for Cape Shelduck.

This is a hybrid between a Ruddy Shelduck and a Common Shelduck - at least it looks like one and that's far more likely than any other hybrid that might hypothetically look similar. Compare to this bird for example.

 

[Jamie Dunning]

was my first thought Dave.

though I have no experience of cape shelduck.

 

[coscoroba]

Although the photo is distant...and therefore hard to judge.This could be a 'red mutation' Ruddy Shelduck female.
They are quite common in captivity. Interestingly the ducklings of this mutation are pure white with bluish bills and dark eyes...Paired with 'normal' Ruddys they produce approx 50% of each.

 

[Dave Appleton]

Although the photo is distant...and therefore hard to judge.This could be a 'red mutation' Ruddy Shelduck female.
They are quite common in captivity. Interestingly the ducklings of this mutation are pure white with bluish bills and dark eyes...Paired with 'normal' Ruddys they produce approx 50% of each.

Interesting... I've never come across this before. Googling doesn't turn up anything - do they go by any other name? Do you have any photos of such birds?

 

[peterarras]

Hi,
it looks for me like a Shelduck hybrid.
Cheers
Peter.

 

[stonechat1]

[...]This could be a 'red mutation' Ruddy Shelduck female. They are quite common in captivity. [...]

Wow, I wasn´t aware that there are even mutations of this species. Never saw any at exhibitions.

 

[coscoroba]

Interesting... I've never come across this before. Googling doesn't turn up anything - do they go by any other name? Do you have any photos of such birds?

Trying to upload a photo of mine but failing.
In the meantime try Googling....Backyard chickens forum, Looking for pictures of waterfowl colour mutations----page 4 has a photo of a captive pair.
They are a deep russet/chestnut red colouration.
This mutation has been bred for a number of years in collections in the U.K. and Europe. A true mutation, when paired to normals producing some normals and some reds.

 

[Dave Appleton]

Trying to upload a photo of mine but failing.
In the meantime try Googling....Backyard chickens forum, Looking for pictures of waterfowl colour mutations----page 4 has a photo of a captive pair.
They are a deep russet/chestnut red colouration.
This mutation has been bred for a number of years in collections in the U.K. and Europe. A true mutation, when paired to normals producing some normals and some reds.

Thanks - here is a link straight to the page for anyone else looking. Interesting. We probably need better photos (or description) to firmly resolve this then, though I think if I had to put money on it I'd stick with the hybrid as I get the impression of a darker head.

It's a shame that the person starting the thread on BackYard Chickens is so blatantly stealing photos in breach of copyright. I'm not sure whether to be amused or irritated by his audacity to write, "To everybody, please post your own mutation pictures" before posting one of my copyrighted images, without any credit, reference to me, link to my website or attempt to get permission!

 

[pooleparrot]

Thanks for the replys. Duck was present again today slightly closer although still well over 150m , a couple more pics attached but probably no more conclusive.

 

[pooleparrot]

Missed last 2 photos

 

[Neil Morris]

Tadorna hybrid

It's extremely similar to this Surrey bird http://www.tarsiger.co.uk/uk&i_pages/shelduck_sp_page.htm which was identified as a hybrid Common Shelduck x Ruddy Shelduck, which is a not uncommon hybrid cross.

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

I would also identify this as Common x ruddy shelduck. keep in mind that is a common but very variable cross, often misidentified.

Here for example a hybrid ruddy x common shelduck misidentified as australian shelduck:

http://www.sbic.it/index.php?mact=N...7fd5breturnid=135&m7fd5breturnid=135&page=135

 

[pooleparrot]

The Hybrid returned to the Holes Bay today, got some closer shots. Is the concensus still Ruddy Shelduck X Shelduck.

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

To me , yes.
the tertials are partly very clearly white, which indicates common shelduck involvement.

Here are some more (note this is a variable hybrid!)
http://www.flickr.com/groups/hybridbirds/discuss/72157601886415063/
http://photos.zoochat.com/large/dsc_10431-177529.jpg


Other shelduck hybrids also can have some white on the tertials but generally a bit less obvious.