Re: duck ID

Anthony G. Futcher (tfutcher@cuc.edu)
Tue, 28 Oct 1997 13:44:44 -0500


andrew l rabin wrote:

> Chatters,
>
>   I saw an unusual looking duck today in Greenbelt Lake, Prince George's
> County, MD. It was with a group of mallards and it was shaped like a
> mallard.  It was all black except for the front of its neck and top of its
> breast which were white.  The color pattern was very similar to that of a
> black scoter.  The bill was black and shaped like a mallard's and its legs
> were orange.
>
>   Was this just some weird mallard?  Or is it possible that it was a black
> scoter?
>
>   Any help is appreciated.
>
> Andy Rabin
> andyrab@wam.umd.edu
> Rockville, MD

Andy, this is only speculation on my part, but I strongly suspect it is either
a crazy mallard as you suggest, or possibly a muscovy - in fact as I write
this, I suspect it more likely is a muscovy, or possibly a muscovy/mallard
intergrade. These semi-domestic ducks are truely a kaleidascope of variations!

Best wishes,

Tony Futcher
tfutcher@cuc.edu
Takoma Park, MD

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Anthony G. (Tony) Futcher                   e-mail: tfutcher@cuc.edu
Director of Records, Columbia Union College
Takoma Park, MD 20912                       office  : 301/891-4119
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