Jeannette and I get a lot of calls and inquiries about strange birds. “I have this bird in my backyard that I never seen before, and it looks like . . . What is it?” is a common question that we receive. We always do our best to answer it. In fact, I enjoy these challenges. More often than not the “rare” bird turns out to be a rather common species that someone had simply not noticed before. Hey, everything is a life bird at some point!

Sometimes these challenges are easy, sometime they are impossible. Sometimes, perfect descriptions are provided, and we can come to a quick conclusion. Other times, this is not the case. And often, the strangest descriptions come from non-birders. Simply, if you’re not used to looking at, and then describing birds, it is a very challenging thing to do! How does a non-birder know to look for a wing bar if they don’t know what a wing bar is?

But anyway, this is one of the challenges that owning a retail wild bird store provides. Each time, Jeannette and I do our best to answer it – and hopefully get the bird correct! And, every now and then, you find out about something REALLY good this way.

That was the case this time, well, sort of anyway. We got a call from a customer, who had a very odd duck in her yard. She has a small pond in her Falmouth backyard, and a group of Mallards visits it daily as they sample her feeders nearby. Well, three days ago, they had a “friend” with them.

After looking through numerous books, Nancy concluded that the bird was a Pochard. Her description fit – although not perfectly to my ears. However, this was because I was picturing a Common Pochard, which as occurred in North America – mostly, if not exclusively, in the western Alaskan Islands however.

But, when I showed up at her house this morning, after we received a call that it was back, I looked out the window and saw – would you believe – a Red-crested Pochard! A truly gorgeous duck, but unfortunately, one that is more than likely an escapee.

See the thing is, many species of waterfowl are kept in captivity, both in zoos and private collections. The most beautiful ones are the most often kept, for obvious reasons. Red-crested Pochards are certainly beautiful, and they are certainly kept in captivity. Every now and then, one gets away. And they can show up in the oddest of places – such as, apparently, a Falmouth backyard!

There has never been a Red-crested Pochard that has been found in North America that has been deemed a “wild” bird. In fact, they are very rare even as “close” as the United Kingdom. With no pattern of vagrancy to North America, and being commonly kept as in captivitiy, it’s safe to label this bird as an escapee or an “exotic.” While it may not count on any lists then, it doesn’t make it any less attractive!