Which Duck? - Clot de Galvany Reserve, Alicante Spain (1 Viewer)

[Mark Etheridge]

I tentatively identified this bird as a Ferruginous Duck, but other birders have disagreed with my diagnosis. Is it some sort of hybrid bird? Fudge Ducks are not unknown at this site.

(Taken at long distance 30/09/2021)

 

[Butty]

Looks fine. Why did they disagree?

 

[Mark Etheridge]

Looks fine. Why did they disagree?

On bill shape and underparts too light - this is from a birder whose opinion I highly respect.

 

[Butty]

Ducks are funny things.

 

[Butty]

Well I've seen as few ferrug ducks as the next guy, but I don't see anything to quibble at here. Or did your mate see something disturbing in flight views?

 

[Mark Etheridge]

No, it was based on a version of this photo which I might have overcooked during post-processing to make it clearer. He has now seen the original unprocessed shot and is now leaning towards female Fudge...

 

[Butty]

Phew. You must have over-processed the bill-shape as well 😉🤣