Having seen two Hampshire Megas with time to
spare I figured I may as well take another look at the Blashford Ferruginous
Duck since I had such poor views before. The bird was asleep much of the time
among a raft of Pochard but occasionally stuck its head up, preened or swam a
short distance.
Here are a few record shots I took of the bird
last Thursday, it appears to be a typical Ferruginous Duck in most respects. Plumage
wise it seems fine, the contrast between flanks and breast was barely
noticeable (though in other pictures it seems quite obvious!).The bill looks good with all the dark mostly
restricted to the nail.
The eye is pale white, though can look yellowish!The head shape is round though can appear to be
slightly peaked but never as peaked as in this photo from my archive, of a
presumably typical male Ferruginous Duck, taken in captivity.
Male Ferruginous Duck, Photographed at Arundel WWT
The bird shows no white spot under the chin, but
appears in some photos to have a pale lore spot. The overall size of the bird
is good it is smaller than a Tufted Duck.
I did not see the bird in flight but I assume
the wings are as typical Ferruginous Duck.
There seems little doubt that the bird is mostly,
if not completely genetically a male Ferruginous Duck and if it isn’t what
mixture of genes could cause the head shape anomaly?
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