Is This a Goose-Mallard?

[Bill Jobes]

Today I saw this large bird that looked like a black goose with white breast feathers ... but as you can see it has the head of a male mallard duck.

It was hanging with a male and female mallard and they seemed very compatible.

Although the head-on angle doesn't show it, the foreground bird is much larger than the mallard male in the background.

It is about the size of a Canada goose.

Any input on what this may me is greatly appreciated!

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Yes, well a hybrid. Someone pointed it out to me one day when I was out shooting.
It is called a Manky. But not sure what the Mallard has bred with.

[Paul Lagasi]

Do you have any side views or one showing size? Most likely this is a cross between a feral duck and a mallard...As Jackie stated above..do a google search of "Manky Duck" they come in all shapes and sizes...Paul

[John Chardine]

My guess is that it's a Mallard x barnyard duck cross. The latter can be quite big and therefore so can the hybrid.

[Bill Jobes]

Thanks for the input thus far.

As requested, here is a profile image.

[Paul Lagasi]

Bill check out this link..it explains about feral ducks:

http://10000birds.com/manky-mallards...d-mallards.htm

[Bill Jobes]

Thanks Paul.

Way down in the photos, there are two that look like mine ... they're named the 'Bibbed' variety.

[Declan Troy]

Almost all domestic ducks (muscovy being the exception) are derived from mallards so strictly speaking this is just a mallard, albeit not a "wild" type.

[Bill Jobes]

Thanks Declan; that's very interesting for sure.

[Peter Knoot]

I believe Sibley refers to these as "Domestic Mallard".