Duck ID Please

[Rob T]

I took this photo exactly a year ago at Weymouth and thought I should give it a title but I cant find it in my British bird books or any of the WAB Gallery's,




It,s bound to be something obvious, (although it was the only one on the lake) but Im not that good on Ducks

Regards

Rob

[Dan Salter]

Hi Rob

Its a Hooded Merganser. It is native to North America/Canada and will be an escapee from a collection here in the UK.


Very pretty bird

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

Its a Hooded Merganser. It is native to North America/Canada and will be an escapee from a collection here in the UK.

It is a male Hooded Merganser, although some might disagree about it being an escapee!
It is believed to be the same as a bird which turned up nearby as a juvenile in June 2008, and apparantely it was originally more wary than it is now. Most birders would feel that a wild one wouldn't have stayed in the same area for so long though (although returning each winter wouldn't be a problem). This one has sayed put in the Radipole area throughout the year and is probably still there now!

[Rob_Williamson]

male Hooded Merganser

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by RoyW

It is a male Hooded Merganser, although some might disagree about it being an escapee!
It is believed to be the same as a bird which turned up nearby as a juvenile in June 2008, and apparantely it was originally more wary than it is now. Most birders would feel that a wild one wouldn't have stayed in the same area for so long though (although returning each winter wouldn't be a problem). This one has sayed put in the Radipole area throughout the year and is probably still there now!

Ahh i was obviously unaware of this...makes it a very nice tick then!

[Rob T]

Interesting
Thankyou Dan, Roy and Rob for imparting your knowledge, much appreciated, I can now title it and file him away, and of course Dan, tick it.

Regards

Rob