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        Discussion Area 討論區 >> Photo Gallery 相片分享 II >>  White-Headed Duck, UK
        
(Message started by: muichoi on Jun 4^th, 2005, 3:22am)

Title: White-Headed Duck, UK
Post by muichoi on Jun 4^th, 2005, 3:22am

London, 5/2005.

I thought it was a Ruddy when I saw it. Found that it is a different species after checking the thick bird guide at home.

http://mui.redeemedsoft.com/UKweb/Birdpic2/WWhite-headedDuck290505StJames01.jpg

http://mui.redeemedsoft.com/UKweb/Birdpic2/WWhite-HeadedDuck270505Regent02.jpg

He swam like this most of the time, making circles with one leg ???. I waited for a long time to get his head out~
http://mui.redeemedsoft.com/UKweb/Birdpic2/WWhite-HeadedDuck270505Regent07.jpg

Sorry, again, pictures through binocular :P

Title: Re: White-Headed Duck, UK
Post by Koren on Jun 5^th, 2005, 1:02pm

You may be interested to know that the white-headed duck is a globally threatened species. One of the factors in its decline in Britain and western Europe is interbreeding with ruddy ducks which were introduced from North America. So it is possible that this bird may be a hybrid between ruddy and white-headed duck.

Title: Re: White-Headed Duck, UK
Post by Koel_Ko on Jun 6^th, 2005, 3:14am

Given the location it is likely that your white-headed duck is a sedentary member of the waterfowl collection, which makes it even more likely to intermingle with the ruddy ducks in the same park.

Title: Re: White-Headed Duck, UK
Post by muichoi on Jun 6^th, 2005, 7:18pm

OIC. Thanks for telling me.
He looks quite identical to the book. May I know how to tell if it is a hybrid?
Thank you very much.