Albino Mallard

[ddp]

I have lunch at Moore Lake in Fridley and have been noticing an albino mallard there the last couple of days. It's a really beautiful bird. I've seen some folks with the big SLR cameras there every so often but not since the albino has showed up. I can imagine getting some great pics of it. I myself don't have the equipment but just thought I would share for those who live close to the area.

[MN Shutterbug]

The info is appreciated. However, it would be a bit of a drive for me, for just a duck. However, I'd think someone would take advantage of this. Thanks.

[dukhnt]

I wouldn't have any time till early next week to check it out. If it is still there then could you put on another post. Thanks for the info. Also, which side of the lake?

[ddp]

yeah, I will post again next week. It hangs with the others at the aireator. A lady was feeding the ducks in the parking lot today and it was the last one to leave the water... Seemed a little shy

[brassman]

see theres a problem with that, once a photographer shows up the duck will be gone!

[Quackaddict9]

i have seen the white duck at moore lake (as i drive by it everyday to school or elsewhere), but i cant recall if its actually a albino mallard.

[ddp]

Yeah, it's tough to tell if it's a true albine or not. When it came to feed in the parking lot, it matched up with other mallards(size, shape, etc) I was unable to get close enough to see if it had the red eyes, etc.

[JayinMN]

Unfortanetly captive birds often escape or are released into the wild and worse yet wild mallards cross with domestic ducks so unusual colored ducks are not that uncommon anymore. In some parts of the U.S a pure mallard is hard to find because they have been mixing with domestic ducks so frequently. Here is a duck that was on a lake that is a popular place for people to feed them even though its illegal. It was taken last spring. I am assuming its blind in the one eye because its just solid yellow. Its a hybrid between a mallard and a domestic since its larger then the mallards. I hope someone gets a picture of this duck on Moore Lake and posts it. I would really like to see it.

[ddp]

I went there for lunch and didn't see the duck but went past there at 2:30 for an appt and it was in the water with the others.

[311Hemi]

I work across the street from Moore Lake and drive by the park every day and night on my way home. Maybe I will bring the camera tomorrow and see if I can get a pic. Not sure if my kit lens will do much for me though.

[Quackaddict9]

I saw it a couple days ago. If I see it, I'll try to get a picture of it, my apartment is not too far from it. My camera is not high quality like some of yours are though. I'll try..

[samtroy]

This mallard was hanging around hutchinson this last fall.

[fisherking01]

Neat color phase, I believe this may be a cross. Most likely mallard, call duck. Very interisting colors, thanks for the pics.

[JayinMN]

fisherking, I thought the same exact thing when I saw it. I used to have call ducks and there is something call duckish about it.

[Steve Foss]

What's a call duck?

[JayinMN]

A call duck is a bantam sized domestic duck. They were originally bred and used as live decoys for duck hunters, hence the name. They prefered the small size so they could fit more into a gunny sack, which meant more decoys to hunt over. Using live decoys is now illegal, so calls are kept primarly as pets or for showing.

[Steve Foss]

Cool. Thanks, Jay.