Unidentified duck

[Jonners]

We saw this duck at the mouth of the River Deben in Suffolk yesterday afternoon. It had been sitting on a sand spit, but I only saw it when it was in the water. Apparently, as it made its way to the water, it looked black and white. It sat very low in the water, with only its head very visible, and it kept diving. Sorry about the photo quality, but it was some way away, and I've cropped a fair bit One for the experts? Maybe a scaup? Or an escapee?

[Gill Catton]

The white patch by the beak and the white 'eye liner' reminds me of a juvenille shelduck - which matches a description of 'making its way to the water' (as other candidates don't tend to sit on land much) and colouration (because shelduck often look black and white at distance despite their glowing colours seen when closer).

However, the bill is rather dark, and I have never seen a shelduck sink itself like this ever..... I have seen them up-end and have a good splashy wash but never prolonged immersion like this...... I'd have thought it would risk of becoming waterlogged? Maybe not - I guess the duck knows best?!

Scaup does have a patch of white by the bill but I'd have thought the yellowness of the eye would be evident in the photo and its not.... plus they look brownish not black and white.....

The white patch also doesn't seem right for a Scoter (which again would be brownish)

I'm plumping for shelduck - who hasn't been listening to its lessons from mother on how to behave

[Jonners]

When it dived, it would remain under the water for a good 10-20 seconds.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Jonners

When it dived, it would remain under the water for a good 10-20 seconds.

This doesn't sound like shelduck behaviour....... could you tell how big it was say in comparison with a mallard?

[Jonners]

Difficult, but I would say it was smaller than a mallard, from what I could see of it.

[Jonners]

The upturned bill reminded me of Ruddy Duck, but I'm not sure that fits either

[aeshna5]

Strange images, but I think Gill has it- a juvenile Shelduck, which has this head pattern. It may be submerging to bathe.

[Gill Catton]

The beak looks quite long like a shelduck -

Look at this pic from the Gallery to see what I mean aboutt the white patch and white eye-liner




but if its definately smaller than a mallard - then it can't be!!!

I give up!

I'm sure someone else will come along and know for sure!!

[Jonners]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Strange images, but I think Gill has it- a juvenile Shelduck, which has this head pattern. It may be submerging to bathe.

I agree that the head markings and the white eye-ring do look like a juv Shelduck. But its behaviour was that of a diving duck - on the surface for about 5 seconds, and under for 10-20 (no sign of it). I've not known Shelduck to dive before but am always open to learning new things

[RobSutton]

Very young shelduck will certainly dive readily to avoid predators so maybe they carry this on into the juvenile stage.