Need a name for this duck, please.

Al Hansen

Al Hansen

Well-known member
Bev and I decided to drive down to Bosque del Apache NWR to see what was still hanging around. Most of the cranes and geese are heading north. It was 79F and quite gorgeous but awfully scary for this time of the year.

We drove past a very shaded channel and I spotted this drake gadwall?. He sure is good looking but seems to be a new strain for sure.
Al

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I believe that ring is just a rare mutation that shows up in Gadwalls. Very cool for sure.

Gadwall x Mallard hybrids (Brewer's Duck) are neat ducks and at one time Audubon thought it to be a separate species. Nothing about that one makes me think it is a hybrid. I'm not sure if they have F2 and F3 crosses like Pintail x Mallard and Mallard x Black Ducks can have.

Tim
 
Well, Dave, at first that was what I was thinking until I looked at the bird closely and saw that the only feature on the duck that was different was the ring on its neck. The size of the drake and all the rest of the characteristics were only that of the gadwall.

Tim and Bob, thanks so much for the information. I found that site that you posted, Bob, very interesting. Made me think of all the ducks I have looked at in my lifetime and that this is the first time I have ever seen one. Glad I had the chance. Made me think of next year already and now I'm hoping that it makes it past Cody up in Utah and gets back here so that it will drop by the pond at the ranch.

Todd, I was thinking that I wouldn't care to taste the flavor of wet dog fur. I got a kick out of that one.
Al
 
Al, I could be wrong but I think you've got a nice drake gadwall will a neat color variation. We kill so many gadwalls in general in AL that I've seen lots of neat variations of neck "rings" (white, black, dark brown, etc.) and head colors. Attached a pic of a similar one I killed about 5 years ago that I gifted to a local taxidermist who mounted it and has it in his showroom now. It's ring was more pronounced than the pic shows but it was similar to variations of mllards in that it didn't fully circle the head. The positioning here shows the "break" in the ring.

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Neat article Bob. Even nicer cause I know most of those photo locations.
The one is a nice spring fed pond, you should of seen all the species of waterfowl that were in there this week!

I've seen some interesting white markings on Canada goose heads. Ring around the base of the neck and another one with a white stripe down the center of the head (like a mohawk).

Also saw what I think was a CanadaxGraylag cross. The feathers were colored mostly like a Canada. But the body was big and deep and the bill was pinkish.
 
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That's a really neat bird Al. I've certainly never seen one like that. If I see him up this way next season I will give him a free pass!
 
Vince, you sure are right about the mallard. By the way, the wood duck is not far behind.

Kyle, those are some great looking drakes. I see what you mean by the different markings. Out here in the desert southwest we don't see nearly the gadwalls that you do.

By the way, Cody, if you see it, make sure he stays in Utah! That would be something if you did see one like that and take it home with you.
Al
 
Al - One of the best mornings I ever had Wood duck hunting, was watching them land near my decoys and fight over the dropping acorns, and I do mean Fight! Well over 100 birds. I just watched, and enjoyed the show. One shot would have ruined everything, and wised up my future meals. After the show was over, I picked up, hid the decoys, and went jump shooting. A very good day, and I learned much about Wood ducks.
 
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