Mystery Ducks!!!

[Gibgal]

Am new to this so here goes! Walking around Trentham lake this morning, saw an amazing sight. about 12 duck-like ducks but never seen anything like these
, very very dark green/black, which became irridescent as they moved, two of them had little tufts on their heads like mini pompoms. Other people there said they hadnt seen them before, What on earth were they? would be very interested to know, have tried the rspb identification site but cant spot them.

[aeshna5]

Welcome to WAB. I can't give you the name of the breed (someone will on here), but the reason you can't find them on the RSPB site is that they are a domestic breed derived from Mallard (as are all domestic ducks with the exception of the Muscovy).

[htcdude]

Yeah sounds like a typical domestic Mallard breed.

Nige

[RoyW]

They are either Black East Indian, or Cayuga Ducks (Cayuga are quite large, Black East Indian are a smaller breed).

The ones with the 'pom-poms' on their heads are called "crested" (different breeds can be bred to have this feature, which is caused by a skull defect apparently).

As has been said already, these are breeds of Mallard.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by RoyW

They are either Black East Indian, or Cayuga Ducks (Cayuga are quite large, Black East Indian are a smaller breed).

The ones with the 'pom-poms' on their heads are called "crested" (different breeds can be bred to have this feature, which is caused by a skull defect apparently).

As has been said already, these are breeds of Mallard.

And lovely ones they are too, quite expensive though for a breeding pair so I'm suprised if someone has just let them go!

[Gibgal]

thank you everyone for your kind replies, they were beautiful! I suppose they must have gone awol from someones pond? so glad to have seen them, what a great website this is!!! will visit often I think!