Help with duck ID please

bob.phillips · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 10:45 PM

I visited Slimbridge a couple of days ago which gave me great opportunities to practice my photographic techniques, both in the 'captive' areas and the 'wild' parts. Got some good shots ( amongst lots of rubbish ), particularly flight shots of Bewick swans, Shelducks and Pintail. I did get these 2 shots of a duck that I couldn't identify - taken in the wild area of the reserve. It was about the size of a shelduck, and looked a bit like one. The shots show it amongst shelduck and widgeon. Sorry about the quality but it was a long way away and is somewhat out of focus. Can anyone help with ID

Regards,

Bob P.

Tracey.A · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 11:00 PM

Hi Bob, if you mean the bird in the bottom right of the photo, it's a Wigeon.

Tracey

bob.phillips · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 11:06 PM

Thanks Tracy, but I meant the one in the middle. I recognise the widgeon at the bottom and the shelduck on the left.

Bob P.

Bobbobthebob · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 11:10 PM

It certainly looks like a shelduck species. A quick search online has me thinking it may be an Australian Shelduck, Tadorna tadornoides. An escapee from a collection I guess?

I'd wait for more people to chime in though...

EDIT: Oops, didn't realise this was at Slimbridge. Probably not even an escapee then!

Tracey.A · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 11:29 PM

Sorry Bob, wasn't paying attention. Had another look at the bird in the middle and I'm stumped! Don't worry though, someone will come up with the answer

I'm really curious now as to what it can be!

Tracey

bob.phillips · #6 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 11:36 PM

Thanks for the Australian Shelduck input, and I think you're right. I've looked back at some shots I took whilst in Australia last year and they do appear to be the same. Thanks for that. My only additional comment is that this bird was ouside of the 'captive' areas of Slimbridge and so it presumably escaped!

Regards,

Bob P.