Wednesday 12 September 2018

Wild Bird Wednesday 320 - Blue-Billed Duck

I managed to get back to Jells Park for a couple of hours this weekend - which was a bit of a relief from the office I have to tell you!

I was really pleased to find the Blue-billed Ducks (Oxyura australis) much closer to one of the viewing platforms than in my other recent visits.  This duck is native to Australia, but is closely related to other around the world.  If you are reading this in the UK, the BBD is closely related to the Ruddy Duck - which has been subject to a effort to remove it from the UK as a breeding species.















It's not hard to see how these duck got their name! Although I have to say that I rather like the females as well!

As ever, to join in with WBW just click on the blue button below: no invitation is need, just join in!  SM

PS: it's been an interesting week to say the least!  Will catch up with comments and such like asap.  Its hard to believe I stared doing WBW on Wednesday, 16 July 2012! 



21 comments:

  1. Such a striking bill! It would be impossible to mistake them for other ducks!

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  2. This will be a lifer for me Stewart, so I hope it hangs around until we arrive.

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  3. Hari Om
    A very pretty duck indeed, m & f. YAM xx

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  4. Gorgeous photos! I love the blue bill!

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  5. Striking bill and plumage. Its flight feathers appear to be very short as if in molt.

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  6. Hey Stewart, a very striking male indeed!! But where;s your link? ...:)JP

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  7. This is a lovely duck, both male and female Stewart. Thanks for hosting and have a good week ahead.

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  8. It's always great to see Blue-billed Ducks - such awesome colours on the boy ones!

    And I've joined in WBW this week and added my link - yay!

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  9. Hey...me again...THANK YOU! I know it's all about birds, but check out the seal!!...:)JP

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  10. Hello,
    what an amazing blue bill!
    Never seen before...thanks for sharing.
    Have a nice week!

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  11. A never seen for me. Thanks, S!

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  12. Ducks are the coolest goofballs in Nature.

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  13. Unusual to see a blue bill on a duck, in our part of the world at least.

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  14. Great pictures Stewart! I'm not sure about the Blue bill. Looks a little unnatural even cyanotic! Pretty duck though.. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy the rest of your week.

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  15. Lovely duck captures . Keep commenting in my blog because I love your comments.

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  16. Lovely pictures of the Blue-billed Ducks!

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  17. I think I have an image of this one somewhere.

    It has been scarse with birds where I live lately. Not even migrating birds. Where I used o see thousends of coots I did see two!!?? It´s depressing :(

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  18. That so reminds me Ruddy Duck. But we have none left as they we culled.

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