We often see this mallard drake with a strange feathery head and are wondering how it is caused? Any suggestions?
It's a crested duck! They are fairly wide spread on ponds and canals where there are mallards. Aren't they lovely? Like powder puffs on their heads.
Thanks for that, Sparrow. We just assumed it was a deformed mallard!
Crested duck is actually a domestic breed of mallard so, in a sense, it is a deformed mallard! This one could be a wild-domestic mallard hybrid. There is also South-American Crested Duck - a separate species, not even related to mallards, but it's definitely something else.
Crested duck indeed, I really must stop calling them 'pom-pom' ducks!
Well what is this one, phto'd it last year at Newmiller dam thinking it was in moult,the second was taken last week. Sorry pictures a bit dark Ray
Try again with second picture Ray
Thats a duck with "sideburns" or a ........."Elvis Duck" ;-)
http://www.domestic-waterfowl.co.uk/crested.htm
They are very comical. Here are two I saw on different occasions in different places.
I saw one of these today. I wonder if it's a particular breed?