PLEASE HELP! My duckling; Gypsy. What breed am I? How old am I?

[run_trip_fall]

I found a duckling wandering my neighborhood yesterday with no duck pond for at least a mile. It was alone and I would like to take care of it and give it a forever home, it has already begun to bond to me and I to it. I have been looking at website after website all day. Any help is greatly appreciated!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y147/ticklemepink69/duck.jpg

 

[usschicago1]

I have never seen a duck like that LOL

 

[Miss Red]

look at those legs! I have no idea but it's adorable.

 

[Broodica]

Wow! That duck looks like a stork! I have no idea what it is, but sure is cute! Sorry to be so unhelpful...still looks very downy and babyish...I'm comparing to my 10 day old mallards....? Is that some feathering on the wings? I'm just new to ducks so...guessing big time

 

[run_trip_fall]

thats the thing, ive searched everywhere and cant find anyone like him, i was thinking a mallard cross breed but I truly have no idea, he is currently in my lap grooming himself and is just adorable!

 

[desertdarlene]

I'm not entirely sure that's a duck. I would say gosling except the shape of the bill is duck-like.

Edited to add: Try Googling photos of Black-Bellied Whistling ducklings. They seem to look similar to your guy, especially when young. This one may be a couple of weeks old.

 

[katharinad]

Those are not domestic duck legs, so I think it is a wild duck. Looks like goose legs, but the body is the one of a duck. Looking at the picture I would guess 2 weeks old. Hard to tell. It would help, if you can clarify where you are, general region is fine. I've looked into my book for wild birds and found some ducks that may be close to it. No baby pics but the face markings may be an indicator. The region will help to narrow it down. There are some wild duck breeders on this board, I bet they do know. My guess is perhaps a teal? Again, I'm not a pro at this.

 

[treldib]

That thing is CRAZY looking...hope someone will help you though and also

 

[run_trip_fall]

I live in houston, tx. Gypsy is completely content in my lap grooming his/her self and seems almost tame. my family used to breed love birds and so i know a little about feathering, Gypsy's body i covered in down and has stubby wing feathers, we're beyong the pin feather phase on the wings all in all gypsy is a very tall very fluffy duckling/gosling.

 

[desertdarlene]

If you live in Texas, then it's most likely a Black-bellied whistling duckling. They live and breed there. They also have those long legs.