Mystery duck

["Philip Veerman" <>]



Hi John,

Around cities there is a regular supply of ducks derived from the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos and the Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata. They are two quite different species of ducks, both of which have been domesticated probably for centuries and both occur in a wide range of colours, shapes and sizes. They can be confusing but the size you mention suggests one of these. Also Mallards will hybridise with Black Ducks. As far as I know, Mallards always retain a flat, duck type beak, Muscovy Ducks have a higher beak. The other distinctive thing is Muscovy Ducks usually have bare warty skin around the face, that other ducks don't have.

 

That may help.

 

Philip