Mallard (Female)

@ Lori, just saw the muscovy ducklings! Cute !!

Ashish, while people sometimes keep mallards, they are still mainly a wild species. The color of the speculum (the iridescent feathers) isn't always an accurate indicator, especially from a photo, because the color shifts at different angles. I needed a break Emma, but it's good to be back.

@ Steven ,how does the color compare with this one? http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7177029

@ Steven great info!! Lately I found so many hybrids!! @ Lori nice to see you after so long! Check the story in this spotting http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7811903

I remember a bird expert who told me that to tell between pure breed Pacific black ducks and mallard/pacific hybrids was the colour of the iridecent feather. If it was blue it most likely a hybrid and if purple it is a pure breed pacific black duck. I reckon this bird is a hybrid

interesting!!

Hi.. Lori.. This look to be Commercial breed or wild one..?

Me too Emma, I had 14 muscovies hatch out sixs weeks ago and it's been great fun raising them.

Known as the grey duck in New Zealand, their numbers are declining as they are hybridized by the introduced mallards. This one looks like a grey to me, but it could be a female mallard or a hybrid. It's hard to tell from a photo alone.

i love ducks!