New York--Central Park, New York 10/21/2024: ID Confirmation Please (1 Viewer)

[John T in AZ]

I'd appreciate help with the ID of this duck.
I do not recall if these shots were from The Pond or The Lake in Central Park.
Could it be a domestic Muscovy Duck, MUDU?
Or, just "some duck" with a deformed bill and face?

Thank you,
John T

 

[nartreb]

Definitely a domesticated breed of muscovy duck. I think its wings have been clipped. It also has a deformed bill - the top part is too short compared to the bottom.
It's not unusual to see hybrids of domestic muscovy and domestic mallard. A pure muscovy would usually show more bare skin around the eye -- but a quick image search suggests that white domestic breeds often look like this bird. So I'm at "maybe" as to whether it could be a hybrid. Let's see what Joern has to say.

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

yes, that is a pure domestic muscovy

 

[John T in AZ]

Thank you Joern and nartreb, greatly appreciated.
A good friend of mine always says, "If it has feathers, shoot it." Especially the odd ones out!

John T