Help identifying Duck seen on Lake Ontario on Dec 20 (1 Viewer)

[Norm_Toronto]

My first posting and I'm very much in the learning phase. I was birding in Colonel Samuel Smith Park in Toronto yesterday and saw 8 species of water birds which was great fun. But I'm puzzled by this duck. It seemed to be hanging out in the vicinity of the Gadwalls and the Mallards -- could it be a hybrid of some sort? Chocolate brown with dark eyes, a brown eyeline and paler cheeks. Doesn't seem to have any wing specula (unless they're hidden).

Any thoughts? Thanks very much.

Best regards,
---Norm

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Isn't it american black duck?

 

[Norm_Toronto]

Isn't it american black duck?

Thank you so much! That's it! I just realized I took a photo of what appears to be both the male and female together as well.

Again thanks for the quick reply.

Best regards,
---Norm

 

[KC Foggin]

Hi there Norm and a warm welcome to you from the members of BirdForum. Please join in wherever you like and enjoy

 

[Norm_Toronto]

I got a couple of shots showing the wing specula. It's so easy (for me) to mistake the male American Black Duck for a female Mallard! I guess the all-yellow bill distinguishes them from the mixed orange and black bill on the female Mallard.

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Your last two photos also show one of the other clinchers for this species - the speculum does not have a white border

 

[Norm_Toronto]

Thanks very much for the pointer, Daniel.

On the same productive walk, I saw this snowy owl in the distance (with the 400mm lens). I gather this is either a mature female or an immature male and no way to tell them apart?

 

[dwatsonbirder]

I'd guess adult female, but it would be exactly that - a guess! That is a bit of a gripper, I've yet to catch up with Snowy owl (dipped twice in the UK).

 

[THE_FERN]

Well looks big so I'd go for female too

 

[njlarsen]

I'd guess adult female, but it would be exactly that - a guess! That is a bit of a gripper, I've yet to catch up with Snowy owl (dipped twice in the UK).

Dipped three times in Denmark and twice in Wisconsin before getting a good view on the sixth overall attempt. Have since gotten it back in Denmark as well!
Niels