This is a duck, not a bird, but thought someone here could identify it. It showed up yesterday and fought the male Wood Duck for the attention of the female. He came back today. Is he a cross between a Wood Duck and some other duck? His head feathers are a reddish-brown.
Debra
Another shot.
Looks like a Mandarin...possibly a cross of Woody and Mandy...LOL sounds like a married couples name.
They might mate but the eggs wouldn't be fertile. Fairly sure about that...also fleurs, ducks are birds!!
This message was edited Apr 15, 2007 3:03 AM
Yep, Mandarin Duck.
Claypa is right, Mandarin x Wood is a sterile hybrid combination, as they have different chromosome numbers. Many ducks can hybridise successfully, but not these two.
Resin
Thanks Kim, claypa and Resin. This is the first time in 4 years we've seen him here. The Woodies are regulars. Mr. Woody is not too happy about him being here as you can well imagine!
Debra
I did not think the two could make a duckling. But, I read (somewhere) that they have. Oh well, you can't believe everything you read ;o) He does not seem to have all the (usual) plummage, so I thought maybe a cross but I guess he was just born that way. Thanks for the info.
Kim
Mandarin Duck (as one might guess from its name!) comes from China; it is a popular aviary species, and frequently escapes.
In Britain they are now breeding ferally (much like House Sparrows in the US, except not so numerous!); I don't know if they are doing so in the US too.
Resin
