Mystery duck!

[maccyd82]

Hi all,

Saw quite a few of these ducks when canoeing on the river wye. They were a bit smaller than a mallard - what is it? The white around the eye looks very distinctive but I cant find anything in my book that is similar.



Thanks!

maccyd

[RoyW]

Mandarin Duck - females, juveniles and 'eclipse' plumage males can all look like this at this time of year.

[maccyd82]

Ah great thanks! I think I may have recognised one in breeding plumage, Id never have thought they could look so different between the seasons!

Are they classed as british birds?

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by maccyd82

Ah great thanks! I think I may have recognised one in breeding plumage, Id never have thought they could look so different between the seasons!

Are they classed as british birds?

Females will look like this throughout the year. Males are far more easily recognised in their orange 'breeding' plumage. Males only have female like colours for a few weeks during the summer.

Like many other species (including Canada Geese, Pheasants and Ring-necked Parakeets), Mandarins are classed as 'naturalized British species'. There are self sustaining populations in many parts of the country, but these are only there as a result of releases or escapes from captivity. Some of the ones that are seen are more recent escapes though, and aren't part of an existing self sustaining population.

[susy]

she is a female mandarin duck, ironically more common here than in their native country!