#duckdaysout

The Cape Barren or Pig Goose is one of the rarest geese in the world, found mostly in small islands off the coast of Australia. Their ability to drink salt or brackish water allows for large flocks to remain on the islands all year round. They have adapted to feeding on agricultural land, allowing for a reverse in the decline in numbers observed over the past century.

A male Tufted duck sitting on the warm shore at WWT Slimbridge, surrounded by feathers and quacking his head off.

Native to Australia, as the name suggests, these large ducks nest in tree hollows or in holes on banks. The female is distinguished by a ring of white feathers around the eye, as in the bottom pic.

This little cutie (look at that tiny pink beak!) is not in fact a goose, but is more closely related to the Shelduck. They are terrestial grazing geese normally found at high altitudes in the Andes in South America and only take to the water when threatened.

A very handsome boy, the gorgeous Bunbury drake at Alde Garden.

In a few seconds, he will notice that he doesn’t have the required four feet of personal space and will chase the ducks out of his turf with a lot of loud honking. 

Ducks (like many other birds) drink by filling their bills with water and then tipping their heads back to let gravity do the work in getting it down their throats. This means that they often look very silly when having a drink!

A couple more close ups of my favourite angry man, Mr Frankie Blue Eyes, at Alde Garden.