Tufted Common Mallard (1 Viewer)

[S_Man]

Hello,

Some questions about this duck (see attachment, photo from some months ago):

do you know if this is a natural occuring mutation or if it comes from hybridation with another duck type? I have found 2-3 different pictures on the internet, one is white! and some people told me they have seen this, too, so it is probably not so uncommon.

perhaps is there already a thread about this?

does this mutation have a name?

 

[Seatallen]

I can't answer your questions, but would also be interested to know. There's a mallard on the local canal with the same mutation and it's been facinating me for a while.

 

[GYBirder23]

Its a particular breed of Mallard for Wildfowl Collections. Not a wild species.

 

[fugl]

It's a common mutation which can turn up in any breed of domestic Mallard. Some more info here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fugl/sets/72157627356229183/

 

[Eddie the 'ed]

There are a number of these on Stowe Pool in Lichfield, I believe they've been there for a few years now. Don't know the reason for the tuft, the question was actually raised at the recent local RSPB meeting and even that drew a blank. Would be great to know the cause.

Damian.

 

[fugl]

Here's a good site on domestic waterfowl in general (including "crested ducks"): http://10000birds.com/manky-mallards-domestic-feral-or-just-plain-odd-mallards.htm

 

[S_Man]

Thanks for the informations so far:

The "tuft-of-cotton" crest is the effect of a single dominant gene, lethal in its homozygous state..

I can't answer your questions, but would also be interested to know. There's a mallard on the local canal with the same mutation and it's been facinating me for a while.

Is it a male? and what is the colour?

 

[S_Man]

Here's a good site on domestic waterfowl in general (including "crested ducks"): http://10000birds.com/manky-mallards-domestic-feral-or-just-plain-odd-mallards.htm

Here they say:

the crest is formed from fatty tissue that seeps through a gap in the bird’s deformed skull

That's weird! but corresponds with first explanation (lethal mutation if homozygous).

 

[Seatallen]

That's facinating. When I first saw the mallard (it's a male and other than the crest looks like a straight male mallard- nothing obviously mucky about it) I thought the crest was some sort of growth. It certainly doesn't seem to bother the bird.