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Anyone know what type of duck this is?

Discussion

22 replies
Posted by John Lee on March 27, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Taken today at the Torcross end of Slapton Ley. Anyone seen one like this before? Not in any of my books. Some kind of hybrid?

Thanks for any info.

John Lee
Posted by jack chapman on March 27, 2008 at 4:33 PM
looks like a tufted duck WITH A RED HEAD! :confused:
Posted by Andy Astbury on March 27, 2008 at 4:35 PM
Well it certainly looks like there's some Tufty in there - has one been ravaged by a Pochard - or the other way around :biggrin:

Can't think what else it could be other than a hybrid John - perhaps I'm wrong - but I would be interested to know - interesting image nicely processed :toast:
Posted by Andy Bate on March 27, 2008 at 4:36 PM
and a red eye!! tufted are usualy yellow!!, hmmmmm the mind boggles!! Someones been dipping it where its not meant to be!
Posted by John Lee on March 27, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Andy

I thought Tufted X Pochard but the head shape is all wrong for both these species.

John Lee
Posted by Andy Bate on March 27, 2008 at 4:42 PM
hmmm, ill pass it on to my big birding expert, but one thinks its not what it should be! nice capture, could of discovered a new species!
Posted by John Robinson on March 27, 2008 at 4:47 PM
I think pics of this bird have turned up on a few other forums etc.
I believe it s a Tufted /Pochard hybrid.
Cheers
JohnR
Posted by Andy Astbury on March 27, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Well I can't think what else could give the red eye unless some randy merganser really got confused :confused: so I'll stick with Pochard.
Posted by Andy Bate on March 27, 2008 at 4:52 PM
merganser/pochard/tufted hybrid! ohh er! must of been a good night out!
Posted by Rob Howard on March 27, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Hi John,

It certainly has the bill shape of Merganser/Goosander. my collins guide shows Tufty X Pochard hybrid, does'nt look like it is that. I think it may well be a female Merganser/Goosander been mated by a Male Tufty. :confused: Bet he's the cock of the roost :biggrin:

Interesting bird, thanks for sharing.

Regards

Rob
Posted by John Lee on March 27, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Rich

Have a few more images, will look at them tomorrow and put them on a web page.

Regards

John Lee
Posted by Matthew Capper on March 27, 2008 at 6:03 PM
I agree. This is a Red-crested Pochard x Tufted Duck. Structurally it has mostly tufted but the shape and colour on the top of the head and the bill look very much red-crested.

Good photo by the way..!

Matthew

:smile: :smile:
Posted by Rob Howard on March 27, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Hey Matthew,

Good to see you on the forum, Are you going to take the plunge and post a photo?

Best Wishes

Rob :smile: :wavey:
Posted by Paul Gibbs on March 27, 2008 at 6:36 PM
I agree Red crested pochard and tufted i think. Weird mix
Posted by Jan Crane on March 28, 2008 at 4:37 AM
It might be an idea to contact the BTO and see if they can shed some light. I am sure they would like to see the picture anyway as it's certainly unusual.

Great picture. I love the way you can see the water droplets and the way you've captured the green sheen on the head and neck.
Posted by Helge Sorensen on March 28, 2008 at 5:10 AM
That's one spectacular hybrid, nice photo, agree with Crested Pochard x Tufted :toast:
Posted by David Kjaer on March 28, 2008 at 5:28 AM
Agree Red Crested Pochard x Tufted - nice captur!

David :toast:
Posted by Major Gilbert on March 28, 2008 at 7:02 AM
As Brian Connolly would say its only a puppet. So dont :argue: amongst yourselfs

Major
Posted by Colin Pickett on March 28, 2008 at 7:58 AM
That's weird, I wonder what it taste like. :biggrin:

Nice image :toast:
Posted by Paul Inglis on March 28, 2008 at 8:00 AM
Nice looking bird! It certainly has an interesting mix of features! Red Crested Pochard x Tufted combo! It does appear that way! :eek: :cool:
Thanks for sharing! :wavey: :wavey: :wavey:
Posted by Paula Graham on March 28, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Well, that sure looks amazing!
Posted by John Lee on March 28, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Many thanks for all the replies, no wonder I was having trouble finding it my books!

I have put 4 more images on my web site

http://www.virtually-unlimited.co.uk/337.html
http://www.virtually-unlimited.co.uk/338.html
http://www.virtually-unlimited.co.uk/339.html
http://www.virtually-unlimited.co.uk/340.html

Regards

John Lee
Posted by eric weight on March 30, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Whatever next? A nice picture in its own right as well.
:toast: :toast: Eric