ID help please

[Jonquil_d]

Small duck on the river at Saltaire, West Yorkshire today...the nearest I could find in the references was Bufflehead female but this does seem a tad unlikely

[aeshna5]

There is a female/juv Bufflehead currently (or was ) in Cornwall, but this isn't one. It looks like some sort of hybrid rather than just a manky Mallard type- certainly not like any I've seen. Definitely not a pure wild species from anywhere.

[RoyW]

It is a Mallard - a blue, bibbed Call Duck.
Call Ducks are a small breed which can be bred to show most of the colour forms seen in the large versions of domestic Mallards.

[aeshna5]

Certainly not one I've seen Roy, though accept that's what it is. I think it was the bill that made me think it may have been a hybrid, though appreciated it may have just been some domestic Mallard type.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I think it was the bill that made me think it may have been a hybrid, though appreciated it may have just been some domestic Mallard type.

It's not a typical large, yellow 'Mallard type' bill, but a short stubby bill is one of the characteristics of Call Ducks, and the black colour of the bill is typical of the colour form.

[Jonquil_d]

Superceded

[Jonquil_d]

My thanks to you both. I am intrigued.......have seen lots of Mallard derivatives in my time...... a duck that is less mallard like in appearance is hard to imagine....


Edit. Have played Google a bit and discover that Call ducks are a small domestic breed originating in Holland. They come in a wide variety of colours and patterns including some which mimic the colours of the wild mallard. Bibbed varieties (with white bibs) come in arange of colours including blue and lavender. To me, my bird seems more lavender than blue......