Just when I thought that I wouldn't see anything new at the park...when what to my wondering eyes should appear? Not a miniature sleigh and 8 tiny reindeer, but this large black duck.
He was chubby and plump, and when the sun hit his feathers I could see that some of the feathers were green. Could this be another hybrid, a mallard duck hybrid?
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, is when I knew that I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word and went straight into the water.
While researching, I found out that this beautiful, interesting duck is a Wild Muscovy Duck. (Cairina moschata)
I am pretty sure this one is a male because it fits the description. Males are black or blackish-brown with an iridescent green or purple sheen in bright sunlight. They have a small white or silver patch on their wings near the flanks. Fleshy red wattles and black skin surround the yellowish-brown eyes. Males also have a small basal knob on top of the bill. Females are smaller and duller with less wattles on the face and they do not have the knob on their bill.
Wild Muscovoy Ducks are 25-35 inches long, weighing in at 6-15 pounds. This one looks to be on the heavy side.
They are dabbling ducks.
Look at the beautiful colors of the feathers when the sun shines on them.
The white ducks made him part of the family but he certainly was not the ugly duckling.
@melinda010100
@dpet
@konaAll photos are my own.
Information Source: thespruce.com