Is this a domesticated duck?

[Ryjocl]

Could someone please confirm if this is a domesticated duck? I think it must be but would love to be wrong as don't think (if it is a British native) that i have seen this species before

Thanks

[RoyW]

This is a female Mandarin duck (not native, but a naturalised species).

[faz]

female mandarin for me too did you see the male at all very nice bird

[Ryjocl]

Thanks to you both. Would have loved to see a male again. Saw my first male a couple of weeks ago in a completely different location. Had i known this was a mandarin i would have waited for longer :P. There were 2 female mandarins today each with 3 ducklings

[Za]

Slightly off topic, but a couple of weeks ago in Windsor I saw a pair of ducks on the Thames that I assume must be escapees, I have looked through the duck pictures on Google and cant see them, they are fairly large, larger than mallards, and have a very distinct "hats" that stand up on the crown of their heads, they are nothing like tufted ducks, almost black in colour all over with a green sheen to them.
I suspect they might be a mallard hybrid but the crowns on their heads made me think they might be a distinct breed.
Anyone got any idea as to what they might be?
Za

[aeshna5]

I have seen domestic Mallard that fit your description, but I'm not really up on breed names.

[Crumble]

Hi Za.

That sounds like it was a crested Cayuga. A domestic breed from the US but quite popular over here.

I think the crest is a genetic deviation so maybe it was unwanted as a breeding bird.