----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Dobbin" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2010 8:50 PM Subject: [canals-list] Can anyone identify a strange bird?
While we were out on the boat on the T&M and Shroppie (Middlewich and Llangollen) we saw a strange bird that members on this list may be able to identify. Unfortunately we didn't manage to get a picture of it and now I can't remember where it was (possibly just outside Wrenbury, but I'm guessing). It was the size of a small goose, white with brown/grey streaks on its back. It had webbed feet, each round and about 2½-in in diameter. Its legs and feet were pale yellow. It was in the company of a few ducks and was sitting on the bank on an area of paving/concrete. Perhaps the main distinguishing feature was its face. It had no feathers on its face or front of its head, just dark red crinkly skin. It was an ugly brute and we refer to it as 'the vulture goose'. I think I may have seen something similar at Gayton Junction some years back and I couldn't identify that one either. Any help would be appreciated. DaveD Hi Dave My guess is that it was a Muscovy duck cross. Muscovy ducks are definitely the ones with the red crinkly skin behind the beak but usually they're black and white. However, I'm sure I've seen some with more variable colours which I assume are crossed with mallards. HTH Cheers Guy -- Guy Morgan First Light Services nb Virgo, WFB, Stockton, GU
