I am one of those who is unfamiliar with breeds of domestic ducks. So, when a giant Mallard turned up amongst a flock of familiar Mallards, it was worth recording.
It seems now that the giant is a Rouen Duck, a domesticated mallard that has been bred for its weight. This one has gone native.
The Rouen Duck dwarfs the Mallards it now accompanies in the wild.
If it didn’t look like its ancestral species, one might have guessed this was a goose.
Wow! That is amazing, so alike but so much bigger. I’d never heard of them either and I have been around domestic ducks. Thank you Alistair.
Great photos, Alistair. And I’m glad Tim tracked down its origins. It’s surreal when you first see the bird… your mind takes a moment to process.
I wonder if it’s breeding with the non-domesticated Mallards.
Susi, I watched it for a while in the hope of seeing this behaviour. Alas, I did not.
Exciting. I have seen the rare extra large Canada Goose, but didn’t know of the mallard. Thanks.