ID please

[Budding Ecologis]

Hi,

I could do with some help to ID these ducks. They look like mallards, but I have never seen them this colour before (is it a winter change?).

[Picidae]

Can only see one duck and it looks like a juvenile Tufted duck to me.

[Jonners]

Tufted duck for me too.

Summer/late summer, male ducks go into what is referred to as eclipse plumage, where they effectively lose most if not all of their distinguishing colourful feathers, which they moult before getting them back later.

[aeshna5]

Agree this is a juvenile tufted Duck- so isn't in eclipse.

[thebeard]

although not eclipse, this time of year is a nightmare for duck identification. winter wildlfowl are just returning to attenborough and it is hard to tell whats what! shovelers all look the same, wigeons look like mallards, teal all look like female mallards and tufted ducks all look female!

i did notice the other day an eclipse male tuftie that had a very pronounced white ring at the base of its bill, made me look twice but then read that this is common.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by thebeard

although not eclipse, this time of year is a nightmare for duck identification. winter wildlfowl are just returning to attenborough and it is hard to tell whats what! shovelers all look the same, wigeons look like mallards, teal all look like female mallards and tufted ducks all look female!

i did notice the other day an eclipse male tuftie that had a very pronounced white ring at the base of its bill, made me look twice but then read that this is common.

Agree eclipse birds can be more of a challenge, but each species has its own distinct profile. A Teal is a fraction of the size of a Mallard, so shouldn't really be confused + Wigeon are also smaller (than Mallard) with a totally different shape. With practice it gets easier!

[thebeard]

yeah i'm managing to id them, but certainly not by plumage!

[Budding Ecologis]

Thanks everyone. Tufted duck it is. Although I must admit, I found this rather a surprise.