A bit of Khaki is still fashionable
The Khaki Campbell is a well-known name today, good pure strains are worth preserving. Although there is a strict standard for exhibition birds, many generic brown ducks are mis-sold as Khaki Campbells. The two marked colours of Campbell (Khaki and Dark) are dusky mallard; Khakis also have a brown dilution. Dusky Mallard, Khaki and White […]
Up-close and personal
Regular feeding brings waterfowl up-close and personal at Martin Mere. Despite Storm Jorge, our Annual General Meeting had a warm welcome at WWT Martin Mere this weekend. Principal honour in our annual awards went posthumously to Christopher Marler – not only for his huge contribution to the Association, but recognising his breeding achievements over a […]
Penning perfection
Well-prepared birds present well at shows, especially if they are calm and used to being handled. This Silver Bantam drake is getting a final wipe down before standing proud in his show pen. Although it is common practice to wash some animals before showing, it is usually best to allow waterfowl to clean themselves for […]
Check out a diminutive diver
This tiny, attractive Sea Duck is a congener of the Goldeneyes; all 3 species are less marine than some in this Tribe. The Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola, is a widespread breeding bird in Canada and there are a few small colonies in the north-west USA. Their preferred breeding habitats are inland; small freshwater ponds among trees. […]
Oiled King Eider survives 24 years after being cleaned
A recent ringed bird recovery shows something truly remarkable: the oldest known wild King Eider – was a 24-year-old oil spill survivor cared for by International Bird Rescue. This finding proves once again that rehabilitated, formerly-oiled birds can survive many years after treatment and release back to the wild. The latest discovery involves a male […]
Just Quackers
Who’d have thought so many people would check out our seven-second clip of a shouty Call Duck? 14,913 so far, making it our biggest hitter so far since launching our Facebook Page. The show season may be drawing to a close but Junior exhibitors Emma and Bella are already planning their entries for next autumn. […]
AI Restriction Zone in Mid Suffolk now lifted
Following the outbreak of Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza A virus subtype H5N3 in a commercial chicken flock in Mid Suffolk on 10 December 2019, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have today lifted the 1km Restricted Zone. This follows from the required surveillance in the Restricted Zone being completed with negative results. […]
Franconian Goose is our Cover Story
Our domestic birds have mostly arisen through selective breeding, to feed a growing population. The Franconian Goose is an old breed that developed along the flood plains of the winding Rivers Main and Frånkische Saale. This area was part of the former Duchy of Franconia, in southern Germany. Various coloured (blue, buff and pied) small […]
DNA proves Stone Age humans enjoyed Duck Dinners
This is the face of a woman who lived 6,000 years ago in Scandinavia. Thanks to the tooth marks she left in ancient ‘chewing gum’, scientists were able to obtain DNA, which they used to decipher her genetic code. It seems likely that she had dark skin, dark brown hair and blue eyes. Dr Hannes […]
AI and Biosecurity
There’s never a good time to hear that there’s been a Bird Flu outbreak. Low pathogenic avian influenza of the H5 strain was confirmed at a commercial chicken farm in Mid Suffolk on 10 December 2019. All birds on the premises will be humanely culled. A restricted zone of 1km is in place around the […]
