Some sort of Duck

[Smiler]

Hi
What Bird? I spotted these two at Chew Valley Lake a week ago, sorry about the quality of the picture but it was a hurried shot. The birds are dark green with a copper/bronze hue to parts of their feathers, a bit like a Cormorant, there were no other colour variations that I could see, the bill was of a similar colour. Probably very common but as I am a complete novice it isn't one I have seen before. They were in the company of several Mallards.
Thanks
Smiler

[clydebirder]

It's a domestic duck, derived from Mallard. They come in all shapes, colours and sizes and cause quite a bit of confusion when they turn up with wild ducks. Not sure of the exact breed though, will look into it.

cheers, John

[Smiler]

Thanks John I appreciate the information, another one for the memory banks.
Dave

[clydebirder]

Hi Dave,
the ducks in the image are Black East Indian Ducks , some information below;

Country Of Origin;......... Probably the Americas Mentioned in all the 1870's books

Purpose;..........Eggs../ exhibition / cuteness,slug hoovers

Breed Hints..... . Kept as trio or pair .. will go broody and hatch

Weights; 2 to 5 pounds

Flying . . . .can fly well if startled. If collecting new birds ask for them wing clipped first

cheers, John

[Neil Rigby]

Well persevered John! Have these Black East Indian Ducks gone feral by any chance?

They look quite true to their breed from the photo. Any thoughts?

[clydebirder]

They've probably escaped from someones collection, they will live out their lives in the wild now unless someone catches them again. Numbers of escaped wildfowl seems to be on the rise, from what I can gather it's becoming more popular to keep ducks so more of these birds will no doubt turn up at local wetlands to confuse us.
Several have turned up at Hogganfield Loch, I should start documenting them as they do cause a lot of confusion.
Will maybe start a domestic wildfowl gallery to let people know what to look out for

Cheers, John

[Neil Rigby]

Sounds like a new of expertise coming on here!

Creating an album would be a good idea. I'm also thinking of an identification resources within the forum.

I've started a thread for Chew Valley Lake in Somerset.

[Smiler]

Thanks John for the information on my mystery duck,well a mystery to me anyway, but not anymore.
It really does help us novices when we can pick the brains of the more experienced birders.
Sorry I was a bit late replying I've been away for a couple of days.
Thanks once again.
Dave (Smiler)

[clydebirder]

Originally Posted by Smiler

Thanks John for the information on my mystery duck,well a mystery to me anyway, but not anymore.
It really does help us novices when we can pick the brains of the more experienced birders.
Sorry I was a bit late replying I've been away for a couple of days.
Thanks once again.
Dave (Smiler)

Hi dave

No problem, I was only too happy to be able to help.

cheers, John