grrtt91 Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 Today in North Carolina. I'm thinking American Black, Mallards, or Hybrids? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinHood Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 I think the front bird has all the markers for a female Mallard, the lighting may be making it look dark. The bird behind may have a dubious heritage - the bill (usually a uniform colour and not black or dark grey) and overall colouring doesn't support Black Duck?, but maybe lighting again. I only jumped in to give this one a push so hopefully some experts will help out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 (edited) @grrtt91, welcome to Whatbird! The front bird shows white bars on either side of the blue wing patch (speculum). I'm with @RobinHood; this is a Mallard trait. Would you be more specific about where in North Carolina? Thanks. Edited June 24 by Charlie Spencer 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 Quite sure these are juvenile Mallards. But I can't rule out Mottled hybrid because I know nothing about them! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 6 minutes ago, The Bird Nuts said: Quite sure these are juvenile Mallards. But I can't rule out Mottled hybrid because I know nothing about them! They’re not pure mottled, either hybrid or pure MALL. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grrtt91 Posted June 24 Author Share Posted June 24 Thanks everyone!!! @Charlie Spencer This was at Reynolda Village (central-ish NC). Here's a photo with different lighting and another that gives a view of more of the ducks there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinHood Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 48 minutes ago, The Bird Nuts said: Quite sure these are juvenile Mallards Forgot how far NC is ahead of Ontario in plumage, explains the dark bill. A Mallard chick this morning in ON (same dark bill) but not quite as advanced. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
von Humboldt Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 I agree these are juvenile mallards just coming into adult plumage and bill color. Probably all from the same brood due to behavior and apparently being the same age. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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