Finding your perfect love match is no easy feat. It's even harder if you are an endangered species.

There were slim hopes of finding a partner for a recently-widowed New Zealand blue duck at the Arundel Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre.

However, staff think they may now have found a male who fits the bill.

Project manager Ivan Lang said: "She lost her long-term mate just before Christmas and we were a bit worried she might not take to anyone else.

"She went through a type of duck mourning waiting to see if her mate would come back. She was very upset and getting aggressive."

But the new duck in her life changed all that.

Ivan said: "She growled and he whistled when they met, a good sign between blue ducks."

Age, it appears, is no barrier to love in the duck world as the female, known by her tag number as WA7427, has fallen for a younger suitor.

Ivan said: "The male is five years her junior. He was at another of our centres where they were trying to find him a mate but without success.

"We are thrilled the two are getting on as females will often reject and attack a new male."

Staff hope love will blossom and they will hear the patter of tiny webbed feet.

The Arundel centre is the only site in the world outside of New Zealand where blue ducks have successfully bred.