Eurasian x American Wigeon (Mareca penelope x americana) hybrid (Mareca penelope, Mareca americana)

This intriguing hybrid has apparently returned for another winter to the same spot. Although closely resembling a molting Eurasian Wigeon, note the dark flecking on the face of this bird, visible at close range. This feature is typical of American Wigeon but not Eurasian. It also shows slightly more green behind the eye than most Eurasians. It is probably not an F1 but perhaps a backcross with Eurasian. From a distance the hybrid features (spotted face, mixed gray/brown flanks) are not immediately obvious.