17 replies to this topic

[Photgog2]

Gilbert Water Ranch, 6 May, 12.

An apparent pair.

 Pair.jpg   94.91K   109 downloads




This is a better shot of the female of the apparent pair. The bird looks too big for a Teal, The black bill is curious, Other ideas???

 DuckBlackBill.jpg   111.18K   98 downloads

Fraser

[psweet]

This is a Mallard female -- which makes sense, given the male. You can see a bit of the speculum visible on her wing, if you look closely. The patterned tertial and pale face are interesting, but since Mallards are the ancestral form of most of our domestic duck breeds, you can get some truly surprising variation in what appear to be wild birds.

[Photgog2]

This is a Mallard female -- which makes sense, given the male. You can see a bit of the speculum visible on her wing, if you look closely. The patterned tertial and pale face are interesting, but since Mallards are the ancestral form of most of our domestic duck breeds, you can get some truly surprising variation in what appear to be wild birds.

This is the most logical answer, but I have NEVER seen a female Mallard with this color bill. The solid BLACK Bill is the interest here, for me.

Fraser

[Liam]

With that all-black bill and the white spot in front of it, as well as the seemingly small size, you could have a Blue-winged Teal x Mallard hybrid.
The only domestic Mallard breed I know of with a black bill is the Black East Indies Duck. And trust me, this bird does not have any Black East Indies in her.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

I would lean towards a BWTxMallard Hybrid as well...that dark bill screams Teal to me. I trust Liam that this isn't a Black East Indies mutt

[Photgog2]

I would lean towards a BWTxMallard Hybrid as well...that dark bill screams Teal to me. I trust Liam that this isn't a Black East Indies mutt

BWT is what I thought too, and if it is a hybrid BWT/Malard Mix, that might explain this being a bigger duck than a Teal. The Teals are almost half the size of Mallards, and this Black Billed Duck seemed only a bit smaller than the Male.

Other Input here would be nice, maybe there is a regular group of these that someone knows of...


Fraser

[Liam]

...The Teals are almost half the size of Mallards, and this Black Billed Duck seemed only a bit smaller than the Male.

The drake looks pretty small himself.

[FMNelly]

The bill of a female Mallard can be either black or orange as adults. Also, just a few days ago, I saw a few Mallard's near my home that seeed normal in size, and one that was about the size or a tad smaller than a Canadian Goose resting on a nest. Biggest I have ever seen.

[Liam]

The bill of a female Mallard can be either black or orange as adults.

I understand that, and I've seen a few with black bills, but they have all had orange at the tip or around the flange. I have never seen a hen with a bill this black. It could be an extreme variation and I'm not saying that this is a Blue-winged Teal x Mallard, but it seems likely.

[Photgog2]

The bill of a female Mallard can be either black or orange as adults. Also, just a few days ago, I saw a few Mallard's near my home that seeed normal in size, and one that was about the size or a tad smaller than a Canadian Goose resting on a nest. Biggest I have ever seen.

Sibley's guide does not show examples of this but the Whatbird Database does have one photo of a very black bill. Interesting. More research needed.

Fraser

[FMNelly]

I have seen one with a mostly black bill, but not completely black. Would be great to know if it is indeed a hybrid. Nice catch though.

[Liam]

I've asked a couple of guys who are very knowledgeable about hybrids. I'll let you know what they say.

[Photgog2]

I've asked a couple of guys who are very knowledgeable about hybrids. I'll let you know what they say.

I'm checking other resources as well... Maybe we will have a good information ride here.

Fraser

[Vicksbird]

I have photos of a dark billed duck, but the color appears more green. Is this also a BWT - Mallard hybrid?

Attached Files

•  Black bill 2.jpg   175.44K   17 downloads
•  Black bill 3.jpg   254.67K   22 downloads
•  Black bill 1.jpg   237.76K   17 downloads

[Photgog]

Thanks Vicki for posting in this thread, Welcome to Whatbird.

Vicki Is a regular, with Matt and Myself. She is a new birder but picking it up very fast, please welcome Vicki to the Whatbird Community.

Fraser

[ColoTomo]

Welcome Vicki ! Newbies are welcome here... they let me stay !

These hens being posted here are odd looking, but cute nonetheless.

One place I know of where people who really specialize in hybrids hang out is over here:http://www.flickr.co...ps/hybridbirds/

[JimBob]

Thank you so much for posting that link Tom! For a long time I've been looking for hybrid pictures to look at. Now I have tons!!!

[Liam]

One place I know of where people who really specialize in hybrids hang out is over here:http://www.flickr.co...ps/hybridbirds/

That's who I asked.

I have photos of a dark billed duck, but the color appears more green. Is this also a BWT - Mallard hybrid?

That bird, based on head shape and coloration, seems to have domestic ancestry.