Is this a mallard?

[Caz]

Here's one for Pops to help me identify - I've seen this duck down the park lake several times - he (?) mixes with the other mallards, but it's not a type I've seen before



There's also a different kind of grebe down there - but I just can't a close enough shot with my little Canon... which means lugging the DSLR and telephoto into work!

[Pops]

Re: Is this a mallard?

I do believe this is the female Mallard. The male is a bit more colourful

[Caz]

Re: Is this a mallard?

I've never seen a female mallard with this colouring before - they don't normally have the white bib. I've got one shot of him next to a male - this one also doesn't appear to have the blue flashes on his wings.

[Pops]

Re: Is this a mallard?

Been having a good search around the wildlife forums and I am pretty sure you have a female mallard cross.
Apparently it is not uncommon for wildfowl to interbreed

[roentarre]

Re: Is this a mallard?

Great composition there.

[rogleale]

Re: Is this a mallard?

Think you're right Pops. Could be an Eider/Mallard cross, but the red shoulders make me think Shelduck.

Roger

[Caz]

Re: Is this a mallard?

I did wonder if it was a cross-breed - there were a pair of weird looking ducks over at Daventry last year, think they were a cross between a mallard and a crested something or other. I posted it on flickr, and there was quite an argument going on about whether it was a mallard, a crested duck or a hybrid.