What bird/duck is this? New Hampshire, USA (1 Viewer)

[RockOfPigeon]

I saw this duck with a large group of mallards and a couple of American Black Ducks. The duck I am having trouble identifying is the black one with the white breast/chest. Is it some sort of hybrid/sub species?

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

A mallard , but with some domestic duck in its ancestry (Domestic ducks -except domestic muscovy- were bred from mallards , so they are essentially the same species and can freely interbreed with any offspring being fully fertile)

there are some domestic duck breeds which have irregular white patches on breast and neck, for example swedish blue and black swedish

https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/images/global/mc/McMurrayHatchery-Juvenile-Blue-Swedish-Ducks.jpg

https://www.mypetchicken.com/images/product_images/Popup/BlackSwedishDucks.jpg

 

[Microtus]

Welcome to the Forum, RockOfPigeon. I think your bird is a female Mallard with domestic Mallard ancestry.

eta: cross-posted with Joern.

 

[KC Foggin]

And I'm just going to jump in here and wish you a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum
We're glad you found us and please join in wherever you like

 

[Lanugoh]

I agree on Mallard with Domestic Duck influence. By the way is there an english word for this reverse hybridisation? In Germany in my area it is fairly common, nearly every pond has one or two ducks like this among the Mallards.

 

[Microtus]

I agree on Mallard with Domestic Duck influence. By the way is there an english word for this reverse hybridisation? In Germany in my area it is fairly common, nearly every pond has one or two ducks like this among the Mallards.

Some of the weirdest looking ducks that have Mallard and Muscovy genes have been called "yuck ducks".

 

[as.ks.ak]

I saw this duck with a large group of mallards and a couple of American Black Ducks. The duck I am having trouble identifying is the black one with the white breast/chest. Is it some sort of hybrid/sub species?

Cool pictures. I love seeing the hybrids.

 

[Butty]

A straightforward domestic duck. Not a hybrid ('hybrid' being a cross with another species).