I found a pair of these little ducks in the middle of one of the largest shopping malls in North Dallas, TX. The mall has a small, shallow, indoor "pool" with this pair of ducks and several small turtles, all presumably added to attract youngsters (and their moms who carry the money that makes the merchants happy).
Checked my Sibley's guide (N. American version) but didn't find anything close enough for a solid ID. The male and female were about the same size and looked mature enough to show adult coloring. At most, both were approximately 2/3 to 3/4 the size of your average Mallard.
Cell phone pic attached but not of great quality...
Any help on ID would be much appreciated.
Steve
Note: While I'm not a proponent of keeping "wild" birds/animals inside a building full time, the immediate area was spic and span and water quality was sparkling clean. Pelleted food was available in a clean bowl inside the display and the rock resting/perching area was heated by a lamp. I assume that the birds have the run of the mall anytime they want but imagine this is discouraged as much as possible. Most importantly, to me anyway, was the fact that the pond area was tastefully but visibly fenced to keep misbehaving children well away from the critters inside.
