At this time of year many ducks are still molting and present a bewildering variety of patterns. Couple this with the abundance of feral domestic Mallard and derivatives.


Hal Michael
Science Outreach Director, Sustainable Fisheries Foundation
Olympia WA
360-459-4005
360-791-7702 (C)
ucd880 at comcast.net


> On October 11, 2018 at 12:04 PM J Christian Kessler <1northraven at gmail.com> wrote:

>

> This morning at Yesler Swamp (Lake Washington cove at end of board walk) I saw 3 males ducks with the following plumage:

> green head - color & iridescence of Mallard

> no neck ring of any kind

> bill pretty much normal Mallard size & shape, dull "orange" with black

> white breast - smaller area than russet breast of male Mallard, and with some black feathers close to the edges

> russet/brown sides - entire side was solid color, similar in size & shape to pale side of male Mallard, no white "outline" as with Shoveler

> dark rump & tail, same curled feathers as Mallard, but solid very dark (no white)

>

> tried to get pictures with cell phone -- bad light & too distant

>

> also present in cove:

> Mallards

> Shovelers (males looking pretty scruffy, still in molt)

> Green-wing Teal

> Wood Duck (single female)

> Crows

> Flicker

> Song Sparrow (very dark plumage)

> rest not identifiable at distance in bad light

>

> Chris Kessler

> Seattle

>

>

>

>

> --

> "moderation in everything, including moderation"

> Rustin Thompson

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