Diane,
There has been a dwindling population of black ducks in the Everett area for many years. They were apparently introduced to the area several years ago, gained somewhat of a foothold at the Everett Water Treatment Plant, then dispersed and/or the population petered out. Pure black ducks seem to have died out in the Everett area, (the last ones I saw were on near the Everett ponds and also on Ebey Island in the spring of 1998. I believe Steve Mlodinow saw one at the ponds last year). Hybrids, however, are still occasionally encountered. The male I saw yesterday was typical - body very evenly dark brown, speculum deep purple with no white trailing edge, grey face contrasting with a green-washed crown and nape, and deep red legs.


Greg

Greg Toffic
Curator of Birds
Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 694-4836 (Desk)
(206) 233-7278 (Fax)
greg.toffic at zoo.org



>>> "Diane Yorgason-Quinn" <avosetta at hotmail.com> 10/17/00 01:46PM >>>
I see that from the Birdbox transcription that Greg Toffic saw a
MallardXBlack Duck at Everett. Where are the BLACK DUCKS that spawned such
a specimen? Whenever I've been there, there haven't been any.

Diane Yorgason-Quinn
Gig Harbor, WA
Avosetta at hotmail.com
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