David Lock

I stopped by our village pond today and there was the usual assortment of ducks, geese and plastic bags.

But there were a pair of pretty looking birds, like ducks but much smaller (Moorhen size). They were jet black aside from a single largish white patch on each side, sort of Panda style. And they were continually diving and staying quite a few seconds under water.

I suspect they were escaped ornamental ducks but am curious to find out what they were. Anyone any ideas? I have done a quick Google image search but drawn a blank.

David

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

Could be a variety of coots, although they usually just have a white patch above the beak. Just wikipediaed them, and only just found out they're actually related to moorhens, funnily enough.

Leslie

Certainly sounds like some kind of a coot.

Les

David Lock

They were something like this but with only a single white patch on side

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...t:429,r:13,s:0

dl

Sorry link doesn't seem to work. Never mind

Simon C

Link worked for me.

May not have been captive, theres alot of winter vistors around at the moment witha few rareities thrown in with the winds.

Can't think of a duck that fits your description yet.

Simon C

Something like this?

David Lock

Well found Simon

Yep just like that although I didn't notice the tufts when I saw them. Nice little chaps aren't they

d

Simon C

In that case its called funnily enough, a tuffed duck Not a native of these Ilses but common enough.

I've always had a soft spot for Manderin ducks

zip106

That's a pretty duck!

I like these -
http://www.cherryvalley.co.uk/upload...uckpancake.jpg

what would scooby do

Ornamental ducks you say ?

Jamz_

iTrader: (12)

Quack

pinkypurkhardt

iTrader: (9)

go great with pan cakes and some hoi sin lol

jods

Eccchooooooo!

Jamie

The look on that duck looks pissed off what camera did you use for that shot ?

Simon C

I didn't Jamie, its just 1 I found on the web.

Leslie

Good deal different to a coot then.

Les