What's the black duck @ High Park?

[David the park stroller]

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?

[Walter Sobchak]

Female Goldeneye? Just a shot in the dark

[David the park stroller]

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

[Iain]

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?

[David the park stroller]

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.

[thouc]

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.

[Iain]

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...

[Carl-Adam]

Looks like a mallard  domestic duck mix. cheers

[Iain]

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

[Carl-Adam]

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.