Can anyone help identify this duck?

[soosie31]

Two very large black ducks (larger than Mallard) appeared in my fields by the pond this morning. They have a white flash on the wings, and white underneath when flying. I am 10 - 12 miles from coast in West Wales. I thought they might be velvet scoter, but the beaks don't seem to be the same. They are red nearest the eyes, then a black band with a bit of white on, then yellow/orange tip (about 1/3rd for each band of colour). They seem to be eating snails with relish. They are undisturbed by my going backwards and forwards to the house.

[Gill Catton]

hmmmm tricky.... Muscovy ducks?

[Hedge Witch]

I don't follow the description of the banding. If you are moving towards the tip of the bill, could they be Muscovy ducks?

[soosie31]

Thank you both for your replies. Have looked on internet but can't find any Muscovy ducks that look like these so far, but will keep trying. On closer inspection (larger binoculars!) they do have a greenish tinge to their backs.

The red bits at the top of their beaks (where they join the head) are quite large, then, as I say, the middle part of beak is black with a white line, then the tip is more yellow than orange.

[soosie31]

Aah .... I have just found a photo of a wild Muscovy duck that looks more similar then any other pics I've seen, on birdsoftt.com (discovering the birds of Trinidad & Tobago!). Certainly the beak looks more like it, but the white flash on wings doesn't. Will keep looking.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by soosie31

Aah .... I have just found a photo of a wild Muscovy duck that looks more similar then any other pics I've seen, on birdsoftt.com (discovering the birds of Trinidad & Tobago!). Certainly the beak looks more like it, but the white flash on wings doesn't. Will keep looking.

they do vary hugely in feather colour, the key feature really is the bare skin around the eye and beak

[Lance Morgan]

It could be a cross breed between mallard and muscovy (moulard)

[soosie31]

I managed to get a really good photo, downloaded it onto computer, and have put it side by side with the one on muscovy duck photographs and descriptions from discovering the birds of trinidad and tobago

It does, in fact, look virtually the same, so THANK YOU EVERYONE!

[epops]

any thing like this Muscovy pair pictures from birds photos on webshots think the one at the back is a female

[soosie31]

Exactly! Thank you very much!