Thanks Curtis, yes it is because it is rare that i had my doubts about it. I took this at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve just outside of Canberra but i can't find it on there list of birds found there, maybe it is new to the area? I will check with them next time i am there.
Hi Shorty, I'm not a 100% sure , although the freckles look right, the head doesn't. The head should be large and "crested", the one of your bird is more round?
Not being an expert, the duck looks more like a young Musk Duck???? I just want to point out I could be wrong, waiting for the Duck Experts.
Hi M-L, i did think about the crest but thought maybe it stays down when it is wet? It was mostly with it's tail up feeding, so i was lucky to get a shot while it was up.It is for sure a Dabbler duck as you can see in the first pick and the Musk duck is a diver and has a very different bill so i am 99% sure it is not a musk. Curtis seems sure but we will see if anyone else can shed some light.
Extraordinary Photos btw, I remember reading somewhere about a breeding program for Freckled Ducks at Tidbinbilla down near Canberra so they could even be usual there.
Thanks Curtis, I did a bit of research and it seems they have 4 of them there that they have introduced and managed to save them from the 2003 firestorm. They must like it here because they could fly away any time they want.
Confirmed by the attached picture of species that inhabit the Murray-Darling River System which I took at the Goolwa Barrages (start of the Coorong) over Christmas. Knew there was some reason I took this photo :)
The only difference between your photo and this poster is that the one on the poster has red between the eyes and the bill, whereas yours is brownish. Perhaps the poster duck picture was during breeding season?
It looks very much like a Freckled Duck to me, I think I'm certain, haven't seen a freckled duck yet.
Your very lucky
Freckled Ducks are rare, where did you see it?
Curtis
Thanks Curtis, yes it is because it is rare that i had my doubts about it. I took this at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve just outside of Canberra but i can't find it on there list of birds found there, maybe it is new to the area? I will check with them next time i am there.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Hi Shorty, I'm not a 100% sure , although the freckles look right, the head doesn't. The head should be large and "crested", the one of your bird is more round?
Not being an expert, the duck looks more like a young Musk Duck???? I just want to point out I could be wrong, waiting for the Duck Experts.
M-L
Hi M-L, i did think about the crest but thought maybe it stays down when it is wet? It was mostly with it's tail up feeding, so i was lucky to get a shot while it was up.It is for sure a Dabbler duck as you can see in the first pick and the Musk duck is a diver and has a very different bill so i am 99% sure it is not a musk. Curtis seems sure but we will see if anyone else can shed some light.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
IMHO, definitely Freckled Duck. Bill totally wrong for Musk Duck.
Extraordinary Photos btw, I remember reading somewhere about a breeding program for Freckled Ducks at Tidbinbilla down near Canberra so they could even be usual there.
Curtis
Thanks Steve for the
M-L
Thanks Curtis, I did a bit of research and it seems they have 4 of them there that they have introduced and managed to save them from the 2003 firestorm. They must like it here because they could fly away any time they want.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Definitely a Freckled Duck IMO.
Confirmed by the attached picture of species that inhabit the Murray-Darling River System which I took at the Goolwa Barrages (start of the Coorong) over Christmas. Knew there was some reason I took this photo :)
The only difference between your photo and this poster is that the one on the poster has red between the eyes and the bill, whereas yours is brownish. Perhaps the poster duck picture was during breeding season?
Chris
BTW - love the "bottoms UP" first picture.
Thanks Chris, i think it is confirmed that it is a Freckled duck (non breeding or female)
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/