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'Oldest duck' celebrates birthday 'Oldest duck' celebrates birthday
(about 4 hours later)
A couple from Hampshire are celebrating the 22nd birthday of their tea-drinking pet duck - thought to be one of the oldest mallards ever recorded.A couple from Hampshire are celebrating the 22nd birthday of their tea-drinking pet duck - thought to be one of the oldest mallards ever recorded.
Edwina was almost pecked to death by her family before Ian Knight and Christine Christopher rescued her.Edwina was almost pecked to death by her family before Ian Knight and Christine Christopher rescued her.
The couple, from Ringwood, initially called her Edward but quickly changed her name once she started laying eggs.The couple, from Ringwood, initially called her Edward but quickly changed her name once she started laying eggs.
The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) said the oldest known wild mallard in the UK is 20 years and five months.The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) said the oldest known wild mallard in the UK is 20 years and five months.
The oldest known wigeon stands at 34 years, the oldest gadwall at 21 and the oldest teal at just over 18 years.The oldest known wigeon stands at 34 years, the oldest gadwall at 21 and the oldest teal at just over 18 years.
'Drinks tea''Drinks tea'
But the oldest wild duck on record is a sea-duck called Eider at 35 years and six months.But the oldest wild duck on record is a sea-duck called Eider at 35 years and six months.
The birds' ages have been calculated through the BTO's ringing scheme.The birds' ages have been calculated through the BTO's ringing scheme.
Mr Knight said of the rescue two decades ago: "It was one Sunday and the mother duck had about six or seven ducklings and, who we now know as Edwina, was the runt of the pack and was being attacked.Mr Knight said of the rescue two decades ago: "It was one Sunday and the mother duck had about six or seven ducklings and, who we now know as Edwina, was the runt of the pack and was being attacked.
Edwina was saved as a duckling from being killed by her familyEdwina was saved as a duckling from being killed by her family
"We tried to help but the mother didn't want to know, so there was this ducking looking the worse for wear on the bank. "We tried to help but the mother didn't want to know, so there was this duckling looking the worse for wear on the bank.
"The children were getting distressed so we put her in a box and brought her home and tried to revive her."The children were getting distressed so we put her in a box and brought her home and tried to revive her.
"As a child you hear the story about if you find a bird out of the nest you put it in a box with a blanket and the next day they are usually dead - but not with Ed, she got stronger and stronger.""As a child you hear the story about if you find a bird out of the nest you put it in a box with a blanket and the next day they are usually dead - but not with Ed, she got stronger and stronger."
Mr Knight released Edwina back into the wild but she followed him back home and has been living with the family ever since.Mr Knight released Edwina back into the wild but she followed him back home and has been living with the family ever since.
Miss Christopher added: "Her first bath was taken in the sink, then she progressed to the bath upstairs.Miss Christopher added: "Her first bath was taken in the sink, then she progressed to the bath upstairs.
"She is quite a character. She attacks Ian every now and again but with me she doesn't seem to peck me at all."She is quite a character. She attacks Ian every now and again but with me she doesn't seem to peck me at all.
"She also drinks tea, she loves it.""She also drinks tea, she loves it."