Help with identification please

Adi · #1 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 09:13 AM

I recently took this photo at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centre at Arundel, West Sussex but I was unable to make an identification on the day and have not had any luck since, I think it is an American species but I may be wrong.

Can any of you guys help with identification please?

Pete · #2 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 08:14 PM

Hi Adi

haven't got a clue mate. Had a quick look through some overseas field guides and nothing obvious came to mind.

However if you send an email with your photo to info.arundel@wwt.org.uk they'll tell you about it I'm sure..

Adi · #3 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 08:33 PM

Thanks for that, I actually sent them an email yesterday but I have not had a reply yet.

If and when I get a reply I will be posting the answer up for everyone.

Gyles · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2005, 08:39 PM

It is a Blue Duck. They are endangered and from New Zealand. Arundel are quite proud of their breeding programme.

http://www.wwt.org.uk/threatsp/pastwwt/blueduck.htm

Pete · #5 (**permalink**) 13-09-2005, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gyles

It is a Blue Duck. They are endangered and from New Zealand. Arundel are quite proud of their breeding programme.

http://www.wwt.org.uk/threatsp/pastwwt/blueduck.htm

phew haven't got a New Zealand bird book! A friend sent me a picture of a NZ scaup which I had to ask about. Time to get that NZ field guide........

cheers for that gyles it was obviously exotic but i couldn't work out what.

LonesomeTwin · #6 (**permalink**) 13-09-2005, 11:45 AM

Hey Adi, your photo is much better than the ones on their website. Perhaps you could sell it to them?

Adi · #7 (**permalink**) 13-09-2005, 04:58 PM

Well done Gyles you were spot on I have today received an email from the WWT this is what they had to say

Quote:

Dear Adi,

The duck in your photograph is the very rare New Zealand Blue Duck. WWT is the only place outside New Zealand where you can see them. There is currently a re-introduction programme be under taken in NZ and WWT has contributed with information from our own birds.

Nice photo!

Tom Dalrymple
Grounds Manager WWT Arundel

Adi · #8 (**permalink**) 14-09-2005, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonesomeTwin

Hey Adi, your photo is much better than the ones on their website. Perhaps you could sell it to them?

I offered the WWT this and some other images to use on there website and in literature and today I received a confirmation that they are interested in the images so I have donated them. The WWT is a charity so I would not sell them images of there own birds.