Unknown baby duck at Duck Pond, High Park

KPaw · **on:** June 10, 2009, 09:24:37 AM

Hi, I can't seem to post the picture I took so I will describe as best as I can. This little thing was all alone and, at the time I was there, there was only a male and female Wood Duck in the pond but a fair distance from this little one. Not a new born Mallard and certainly not a Canada Goose so any help would be appreciated:

Description: Very small about the size of a new-born Canada Goose, swimming strongly, absolutely white body, slightly yellowish head but still fairly white with obvious dark brown splotch right at top of head, very pale pink bill, yellow feet and legs.

Thanks for any suggestions.
Kind regards.

Bird Brain · **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:20:21 AM

Hi KPaw ... did it look a bit like this?

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/haycox/blog ... ckling.jpg

I've seen a couple of pictures on Google Images of baby Muscovy that seem to fit the description of the baby bird you saw.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CViOmCDp85U/S ... ressed.JPG

Jo-Anne

KPaw · **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2009, 12:41:56 PM

I contacted Ducks Unlimited Canada. This is the response I received. They are wonderful people at Ducks Unlimited. Very helpful indeed.
Thanks also to Bird Brain - you were right on!

From what I can gather your duckling is either a Magpie or Muscovy Duck (My first impression was a Muscovy when I saw your picture). Here’s a couple of websites with pictures and discussion of ducklings similar to yours - http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/v ... ?id=153448 and http://www.freewebs.com/rlcollins/abouttheducks.htm. You may be able to locate additional pictures and information on the web now that you have this information to start with. If you’ve seen adults of either Magpies or Muscovies around the Duck Pond at any time that could suggest who the parents are. Otherwise the duckling may have been released. The Magpie is a domestic breed, while the Muscovy is native to South America but has been domesticated here in North America.

Bird Brain · **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2009, 11:05:21 PM

KPaw ... Cool!

Happy that I could help.

Hopefully you will get to see Mom Muscovy at some point!

Jo-Anne