Three Illinois Ducks; front and center

[G_kayaker]

Hi all,

Are these three mallard hybrids (male/female in front and white-chested in center?) Thank you!

[AlexHenry]

I believe those three birds are all domestic-type Mallards.

[akandula]

9 hours ago, AlexHenry said:

I believe those three birds are all domestic-type Mallards.

I agree with the drakes, but the hen looks like a leucistic wild-type Mallard.

[Kerri]

The "Swedish Blue" variety of the domestic mallard has the white on the chest area.

 

[The Bird Nuts]

I just wanted to say, unless you know all the breed traits of these domestic breeds, I think it's best not to put a label on them because they could be mixes of domestic breeds or mixes of wild and domestic.  The same goes for other animals, like chickens - farmers breed two or more breeds all the time.  It's kind of like someone calling my mixed-breed dog a husky just because she has triangular, erect ears and is a domestic dog.  Birders tend to try to identify everything to species or breed and I am guilty of this.

Edited December 27, 2019 by The Bird Nuts

[The Bird Nuts]

@Kerri I realize you were only saying that the ducks in the OP's picture have characteristics of the Swedish Blue breed, but I just want to make sure no one thought you were saying they are pure Swedish Blues.

[Kerri]

@The Bird Nuts Thank you! Well said. I realize I didn't clarify my statement very well. Much appreciated ?