Can anyone identify this duck?

[Teresa McKevitt]

Hi everyone,

Here's my Gossie. He is a mallard mix of something. He came into our rescue facility last September. The poor guy was a duckling when he came home to me. Nothing but skin and bones and many deep gashes on the bottom of his feet and a hole through one foot. It was so sad! He is now healthy and a very sweet duck. He has joined my two girls Coco and Lulu (last photo of Rouen and Buff Orpington) and they love each other.

My avian specialist and vet has come over to see him and she says he is definitely a mix breed. His feet have orange and black coloring. He looks all black until sunlight hits him and his head has a green irredescence to it. Very beautiful. I'm thinking he looks like a Domesticated Bibbed Mallard or Duclair Duck? Any suggestions? Either way, we love him!


Teresa

 

[Ziggymon]

Gorgeous ducks!

I have ducks also - 2 Pekins, 2 mallard males, 2 mallard girls, 2 Goldens.

 

[waterfaller1]

He is gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Teresa McKevitt]

Hi Ziggymon,

You have quite the flock of ducks. I have always wanted a Pekin... One of these days. My flock of just 3 keep me busy... Are all of yours friendly? What do you feed them? Just curious. Everyone here in my town feeds their ducks a chicken scratch but I feed mine Mazuri zoo life diet for ducks...

Teresa

 

[Teresa McKevitt]

Thanks Waterfaller. I hope to see more pictures of Gryphon soon. I'm so happy I have found this site to connect with other mousebird lovers.

 

[Ziggymon]

Teresa, I started with a couple of Pekins, but one thing leads to another, as it so often does. My sister's vet was raising a couple of orphaned mallard ducklings this year. When my sister mentioned that I had put in a pond for the ducks, she asked whether I could take the mallards. Well, they both turned out to be males, and when they reached maturity, they began to pick on my Pekin drake, An eight hour round trip later, I came home with four girls (the mallard girls and the Goldens) to improve the female/male ratio.

The mallards are a bit skittish, but they cooperate with being put safely in their house at dusk. Around here, you can only get the duck food that is designed to put flesh on rapidly, but a store about an hour from here special orders Mazuri waterfowl food for me.

 

[Teresa McKevitt]

Sounds like my household. I started out with one Blue Naped Mousebird and now I have 10. Over a course of almost 10 years though. I have only had my ducks for 4 years and they were given to us but we love them. They are very,very tamed and wear duck diapers in the house at night. During the day they are out swimming in their pond and foraging through the garden. My Coco (the Rouen) is the most spoiled and quacks at the back door constantly for treats! She also visits my daughter's school every year and the kids love her. I would love to see pics of your ducks! Are they now all getting along since you got the girls?

Teresa

 

[Ziggymon]

Yes, they are getting along, now that I have more girls. This is a picture of the mallard boys' first introduction to the pond:

 

[65sunnyday]

Hi, Teresa, I would love to see your ducks in their diapers--they all sound so interesting (I've never really had a chance to be around waterfowl.) Hoping to learn more!

 

[penny'smom]

I have no idea, but he is gorgeous, as are your other two. My mom had a khaki campbell who would fly to her across the backyard (and had her private kiddie pool). Absolutely lovely creatures.

 

[Teresa McKevitt]

Yes, they are getting along, now that I have more girls. This is a picture of the mallard boys' first introduction to the pond:

Your ducks are beautiful! I love your yard. I bet they just have so much fun out there! Beautiful!!

Teresa

 

[Ziggymon]

Thank you! ATM, they are rather grubby ducks - even with the aerator, I've only been able to keep a very small opening in the ice, so on days that it's warm enough, I just run water to create big puddles for them. I know that they are going to be delighted when they have their pond back!