Pacific (not quite) Black Duck

["Philip Veerman" <>]

That is a curious one. I have not seen that or something like it before. All I see is your photo. Yes I agree it is one of these two options. I don't know how common partial albinism is in ducks but it looks more like your option 2 to me. I suggest this as it does not appear to show any mallard type features. In particular the face pattern is still complete for a PBD. Hybrids as far as I have seen before don't show that full face pattern. If it does have orange feet or the curly rump feathers or the mallard type colour patch in the wings or is bigger than a PBD should be, then I would go for the other option.

Ultimately I don't know how you would know the answer as it is a hindsight question.

 

Philip

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: martin butterfield [
Sent: Monday, 18 July 2011 1:39 PM
To: COG List
Subject: [canberrabirds] Pacific (not quite) Black Duck

I apologise if the bird in the attached image has
been a source of intense debate while I have been away (although it doesn't
appear in the Archives ).  I was intrigued to see the very pale duck at
Kelly's Swamp this morning.  Is this:

1. one of the many forms of hybrid between Pacific Black Duck and domestic waterfoul; or
2. an albinistic Pacific Black Duck?

While the other ducks (and a
Black Swan) appeared totally unphased by the bird the Purple Swamphens took a
strong dislike to it.  They chased it all around the small area of water
visible, from Ardea hide amongst the Typha.

On the subject of Typha it
could be suggested that the time for remedial action is about now, before the
returning Reed Warblers etc start setting up nests in
there.

Martin