Black East Indie Ducks Show Visit with the Mallards

Out on Lake Lynn as I walked the planked part of the trail I noticed some birds that didn't seem like they belonged. There they were with the sun behind them. When the resident mallards and geese got to close these two large birds would charge them.

In between them was a strangely marked yellow bird that, though smaller than the two large ones, was the size of a standard mallard duck.

It took a few minutes, partly because I don't think all that fast, for it to register that this was their duckling. I don't think anyone has ever read the Ugly Duckling to these birds.

It was clear if the other birds had any intentions with the young duckling, but momma and poppa were not taking any chances.

The number and variety of birds along the greenway trails can be really neat. It can also present a significant piece of work with all these different birds migrating from strange places. As the Black East Indie Duck can be a raised duck, it is possible a few have escaped captivity and made it here. They may also have been intentionally placed here.

If you have read any of my prior articles, you know I am constantly uncertain of my facts, not being all that sure of anything. So how can I say these are these Black East Indie Ducks?

It seems that Black East Indie Ducks feathers form a very distinct little ring on their back which viewed from the side looks exactly like these birds. In addition there plumage is and iridescent green on black. Though this picture doesn't show it, I have close ups of the plumage that show the green beautifully. It is always possible that I have misidentified them. (My standard disclaimer in this world full of new and wonderful things that I get to see for the first time)

I do suspect that you will find that we have truly been visited.