COBirders,
In response to David Alcock's query about an unusual Mallard he photographed, my 0.2 cent's worth of speculation is: Mallard + a pinch of Peking. Leon Bright Pueblo From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of David Alcock Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 3:34 PM To: cobirds Subject: [cobirds] Another aberrant duck (03/06) - Clear Creek past I70 - Jefferson County Coincidentally to, or perhaps as a result of, all the thought provoking discussion of ducks, hybrid ducks, and their plumages last week I happened to notice a Mallard that wasn't quite right on Saturday morning. The bird was swimming with a few other Mallards just south of the trail, right where the Rusty Blackbirds hung out last year. (No Rustys BTW). The head, neck ring (strong but incomplete), and breast all seemed good for an adult male Mallard. The back and underside were mostly covered in brown feathers edged in creamy-buff - with the back appearing more uniform than the undersides. Scapulars seemed all Mallard to me, thanks to everyone that have chimed in on the detailed email string for the Mallard - Black Duck discussion. My guess is this was some kind of an incomplete or delayed molt. That seems the most likely scenario, but finding it smack-dab in the middle of alternate plumage would seem the least likely time to have an early or late molter, unless it was an incomplete molt that had been abandoned. If anyone has a chance to take a look at the pictures I got of this bird and would like to reply directly to confirm or contradict that idea I would welcome the response. http://daveabirding.blogspot.com/2011/03/duck-of-different-color.html Thanks, -- David Alcock Broomfield, CO http://daveabirding.blogspot.com/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en. _____ No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3487 - Release Date: 03/07/11 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
