Very Large Duck

[Twospot Ladybird]

Hi All,

I visited Blair Drummond Safari Park (Near Stirling) on Saturday and whilst there I saw a VERY large Duck. It was much bigger than a Mallard. Goose sized. There was a Bean Goose near by and this duck was a similar size.

The Duck was mainly white with black on it. A black strip from the base of the bill, over the head and down the back of the neck, a patch of black on the back and a black tail. Bright orange legs. Bill greyish with a black spot on the tip. Nearest I can find in my books is a Juvenile Shelduck but the markings aren't quite right and the legs are the wrong colour, could be a hybrid but with what. Any ideas anyone?

Will try and get a picture posted this evening.

[Twospot Ladybird]

[Twospot Ladybird]

Here's the promised picture of the duck. As you can see from the photo, it's much bigger than the Mallards behind it.

Any idea what species anyone?

[Rosa_Mundi]

It's a Muscovy duck. They're farm ducks really, used for egg-laying as far as I know. They can be darker than your example, with more black.

[Twospot Ladybird]

Doesn't the Muscovy Duck have red on its face  ???

[Twospot Ladybird]

 ;D Found it. I googled Large Black and White Duck and discovered it's a domestic breed called a Magpie Duck.

http://www.domestic-waterfowl.co.uk/magpie.htm

[Rosa_Mundi]

Doesn't the Muscovy Duck have red on its face  ???

You're right, I didn't look carefully enough. ;D
Did you know that there's such a thing as a grey magpie duck?

[GREENWIZARD]

i was in stirling on saturday~shopping at the new dobbies ;D
it's years since i've been to blair drummond~my weans are too big now(15&13) they just want to look at ps2 games these days~ho-hum :(
nice pic TL :)

[Twospot Ladybird]

Hi Rosa, I didn't know there was a Grey Magpie too, they're lovely aren't they  ;D

Hi GW, We passed the new Dobbies on the way there and back. I wanted to go in but BF said no  :( Wouldn't have been fair on Little Twospot anyway, she's only 3 1/2 and slept all the way home. I wouldn't say 13 and 15 were too old, my nephew and niece went last year and they were 15 and 12. Have you asked them if they want to go?

[Vez1]

I used to love Blair Drummond. Not been since I was little.

Nice to see somebody using the word wean on here Greenwizard, not too many people use it here in Dundee, but dad's a weegie so I always use it. :)

[GREENWIZARD]

we've been to bd a few times when the weans were wee & they loved it
go-karting at livingston is flavour of the month these days ::)

[Jane the Novice]

nice looking duck...where's the orange sauce  ;D ;D ;D