Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: David the park stroller on February 15, 2007, 11:37:23 AM

Title: What's the black duck @ High Park?
Post by: David the park stroller on February 15, 2007, 11:37:23 AM

Hi, there's a new duck [new to me anyway] in with the over-wintering mallards at the top end of Grenadier Pond. [Sorry no camera with me.] It's a small all-black duck with a black bill and distinct white patch on the breast, pond dabbler habit. Can't find any pics that resemble it. Note: seems too small for most domestics I think, and it's not one of the usual domestics on the pond. Any ideas?

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Post by: Walter Sobchak on February 15, 2007, 11:59:34 AM

Female Goldeneye? Just a shot in the dark

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Post by: David the park stroller on February 15, 2007, 12:25:02 PM

maybe... shape and habit match. but this one is very dark black/slate with a very white patch and the female goldeneye colours usually seem more muted? time go back and get a snap methinks, thanks

Title: Same Duck (I think) at Humber Bay East
Post by: Iain on February 15, 2007, 02:29:32 PM

Here are a couple shots I got of a duck matching your exact description.  She was swimming near the bridge at Humber Bay Park East on the 9th of Feb.

As for the ID.  I'm stumped as well.  The first thing I thought was female Pintail because of the dark bill and size, which would make it a great winter bird.  However the dark colouration overall, white breast-patch and redish-brown iris are throwing me off.  The white patch might be a lack of pigments (slight leucisism) but the overall darkness is another issue.  

For people helping out here, the bird is noticeably smaller than a mallard and slightly larger than a bufflehead, oddly enough the female Cinnamon Teal is about that size, AND has a red iris... an even better winter bird...  any thoughts?

(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r274/iaindmfleming/IMG_6799.jpg)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r274/iaindmfleming/IMG_6795.jpg)

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Post by: David the park stroller on February 15, 2007, 05:23:56 PM

I think that is "her". Seemed darker/more slate but colours are very tough to read against snow and ice.  Yes, come to think of it, could be a teal based on behaviour/habit when we were watching.

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Post by: thouc on February 15, 2007, 05:32:05 PM

I would suggest female Green-winged Teal based on the small size, the time of year (other teals are not wintering as far north), the eye colour and the black line behind the eye.

Title: Orange Legs
Post by: Iain on February 15, 2007, 05:53:41 PM

I just noticed the orange legs in the first pic, which are more characteristic of blue-winged and cinnamon.  Unfortunately, these two species are well south of here for the winter.  Perhaps we've got a hybrid here...

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Post by: Carl-Adam on February 18, 2007, 10:39:10 PM

Looks like a mallard  domestic duck mix. cheers

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Post by: Iain on February 18, 2007, 11:37:48 PM

Yeah Domestic/Mallard was my first thought but she seems to be too small to be crossed with the typically large Domestic breed.

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Post by: Carl-Adam on February 19, 2007, 06:15:36 PM

Yeah the coloration on the Brest is similar to that of a blue winged teal, I know there was a domestic mallard cross hanging around Humber park that was clearly larger then your typical mallard.