American Black Duck Anas rubripes

A declining North American species that is a very rare vagrant to western Europe. The species readily hybridises with Mallard and hybrids (especially backcrossed examples) provide a significant identification challenge.

I've seen these in Devon and Cornwall but before I owned a suitable camera. The only one I've encountered since then is this very long-staying bird which bred with local Mallards and produced hybrids (which I did not see).

American Black Duck (with Mallard), Strontian (Highland, UK), 15th March 2014