Mallard or Black duck - Philadelphia PA 2 Nov 23 (1 Viewer)

[mbaumser]

Shot at John Heinz NWR outside Philly


at first I was leaning American Black male but now I'm not sure.

thoughts?

thanks in advance

marc

 

[Bewick]

There's no pictures

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Why not Gadwall (orange bill, whitish belly, contrastingly grey neck + face)?

 

[qwerty5]

Female Mallard because of the orange bill

Edit: Gadwall has more black on the bill

 

[mbaumser]

There's no pictures

sorry. picture is there now

 

[nartreb]

Orange bill with dark saddle, pale belly => can't be American Black Duck.

I don't think I can rule out female gadwall from this photo. (The amount of black on the bill can vary, and we don't have a great view of it here.) If you saw the upper side of the wing during flight, a gadwall would have an obvious white patch (speculum).

Female mallard seems like it should be our first guess, but... was there something about this bird that made you think it wasn't a mallard?

 

[KC Foggin]

I'm going with female Mallard.

 

[Indobirder]

I think it's quite clearly not a Gadwall, but the reason why is hard to put my finger on.

Mostly the head looks perfect for Mallard-type: lacking the more even patterning and more gray tones of Gadwall. Head shape of gadwall often is more 'blocky' which is often still evident in flight.

Also The contrast between the belly and chest/sides is very smudged, while on Gadwall it is often very distinct, and the belly whiter (but yes lighting seems warm).

 

[mbaumser]

I think it's quite clearly not a Gadwall, but the reason why is hard to put my finger on.

Mostly the head looks perfect for Mallard-type: lacking the more even patterning and more gray tones of Gadwall. Head shape of gadwall often is more 'blocky' which is often still evident in flight.

Also The contrast between the belly and chest/sides is very smudged, while on Gadwall it is often very distinct, and the belly whiter (but yes lighting seems warm).

It was evening golden hour.

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

Additional point for mallard: please note you see also the the white edging of the secondaries which would make the white"rear frame" for the mallard speculum if seen from above .
That also excludes a pure American black duck

so clearly Mallard...

 

[mbaumser]

Thanks you all for your replies.