Seems that there are mixed reactions on the Bird I have photographed Saturday November 10th, 2007. I captured 8 photos of this bird with my 100-400 lens on private property. The bird was photographed east of LaSalle Park on Northshore Blvd. The duck was also viewed on Friday in flight at a distance by a reliable source in the hamilton bay area.
I posted through the OFO and some think it fits the description of a Call Duck, and some of a leucistic Wood Duck which would be rare. With right now more for the Wood Duck theory.
The rules are no chatting through the postings at the OFO, so I have come here to discuss as direct from the OFO.
I have sent the link to the U.K. breeding association for Call Ducks and to the U.S.A. counterparts. I have email a lot of people asking their opinion, and being Sunday have only recieved a few emails. I have posted on the Canon forum in the birds section where one believes it to be a great find, and a Wood Duck.
Here is the latest response from the U.K. breeeders
Hi Michael,
Thank your for your e-mail. I can tell you that it is not a call duck or any species of Anas. I believe that it is either a white Wood Duck or even perhaps a white Mandarin Duck (an aviary escapee), the body structure is that of Aix. The white versions of both species are popular in aviaries, so an escape is entirely possible, but I feel pretty certain it is a member of Aix and not a call duck.
I have forwarded your e-mail to a few others to seek their opinion as well, so please be looking for those.
Dan Cowell
Please view the images here
http://home.cogeco.ca/~mveltri2/rare_le ... d_duck.htmI would like all the opinions possible.
The bird has a dark pink bill, the nape resembles a wood duck, and some say possible mandirine. It has yellow legs and you can see it is very small compared to the mallard right behind it. This would fit the size and shape of the Wood Duck.
Best regards, and good birding
Michael A. Veltri
mveltri2@cogeco.ca