Mallard cross?

[Andreas]

This is probably such a naive question but could someone please confirm this duck? Is it some form of cross with a mallard, because I can't find it in any books? All black with a white neck at the front and a white flash on its wing

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar...=60632&cat=503

Many thanks

[aeshna5]

You're right- it's a domestic type Mallard.

[ron1863]

I have never seen a Mallard like that

[lindapilk]

where did you see this - we have identical duck in notts seen yesterday- strange for a cross bred mallard to be exactly the same

[Hedge Witch]

I thought mallards had to have the curly tail thing going on

[Jason Green]

HW - Maybe that's the wild, non-crossbred ones? Perhaps they then lose that aspect...

It almost looks goosy - the legs are further back on the body than even the domestic typres I've seen!!

[diggleken]

Looks like a Mallard / Muscovy cross, slightly darker than a normal drake and slightly larger too.
Ken

[Hedge Witch]

Yes of course, thanks Jason, no reason why this feature would be dominant

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Hedge Witch

Yes of course, thanks Jason, no reason why this feature would be dominant

I think it might be actually - you certainly do see it on domestic ducks of ancient mallard parentage.

This particular duck doesn't look like a pedigree domestic duck but its certainly got a heavy dose of domestic duck in its blood - infact it might be a cross between two pedigree ducks (of mallard type).

As for body shape, poultry farmers have produced a vide variety of body shapes in domestic ducks from the skinny upright indian runner through to the big fat waddling table birds so a weird shape doesn't necessarily mean its not a domestic of mallard descent.

[Ferret]

Yes it’s a domestic variety of Mallard.

Hedge Witch, I think the curly tail is part of the Mallard Drakes breeding plumage so probably would not be showing at this time of the year even if this plumage feature had survived the selective breeding

Ferret

[nightshade]

Somewhere on the interweb is a site devoted to Mallard Crosses, lots of images

[Ferret]

This sit is quite good for Mallard Hybrids

Hybrid Mallards

Ferret

[Hedge Witch]

Looks like Muscovy/Mallard then amazing range of hybrids there

[lindapilk]

pic of duck seen 6 nov attenborough - smaller than mallard and not accepted by them - one of 3 seen there that day

not convinced mallard cross - has some features of pintail?

[Tursiops2]

These odd Mallard variations turn up all over the place, when you've been birding long enough you learn to ignore them, but they must be very confusing for beginners.
There's a good selection of images here:“Manky Mallards” (domestic, feral, or just plain odd Mallards)
T2

Edit: oops, just noticed the link has already been posted, apologies.