Hello
I’ve been spotting these mystery birds sporadically since the summer on my local stretch of the Thames.
They’re about goose size, orange legs, yellow/grey bills. Dark grey feathers with white chests and black necks and heads. The photos show them having a sleep but when they’re stood or swimming they look like a mallard shape, just treble the size.
At first there were just the two who’d be found happily swimming around with the other mallards. In these photos (taken last week) it looks like they’ve had a chick! The third bird is dark dark brown, fluffy looking and the size of a regular mallard.
What on Earth are these lovely birds? Feeling like Charles Darwin on Galapagos right now, I’ve searched online and in every book I’ve got and can’t seem to find a name! Would appreciate any tips
I think these are a domestic breed known as Swedish Duck or Swedish Blue. You can read about them HERE
Wendy is correct that these weird and wonderful domestic ducks are rather unkindly known as "Manky Mallards" because they have been selectively bred from the humble wild Mallard.
GeorgieB said:A little disappointed I haven’t discovered my own duck breed.... I think the Georgie duck has a good ring to
Yes, Anas platyrhynchos georgie would sound good. LOL