Duck ID (1 Viewer)

[freezingmoon]

Hi There!

Today (March 21, 2020) I saw a male and female duck in the water in Allegan, Michigan (42.553, -85.979). I was in a forested area, with a marsh/creek. I was and still am unable to identify. Similar to a Wood Duck, but not a Wood Duck as far as I know. No photos, but I would describe the male as having yellow eyes, and green head and neck, with thick white stripe in between. Breast was white, and tail end/belly was brown. Female was brown overall, maybe with some black on her wings? No white around the eye, as do female Wood Ducks. I have searched everywhere, and have had no luck identifying what I saw. Any ideas?

Edit: Actually looks just like a Northern Shoveler, except the photos I see of this bird do not have the thick white striping on the neck. I also don't recall their bills being that of a shoveler.

Thanks!

 

[Andy Hurley]

Possibly Northern Shoveler/Mallard hybrid?

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

Possibly Northern Shoveler/Mallard hybrid?

No yellow eyes and distinctly shovelerlike bill

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

I can´t make the description fit to anything? It is too vague, even the one for the male

You´d like to know iris, color (yellow as you say?), color of undertail coverts, color of flanks, color and pattern of speculum, breast color, bill color, pattern and shape of scapulars and tertials, white or black neckring or none etc?

 

[freezingmoon]

Possibly Northern Shoveler/Mallard hybrid?

Are hybrids a thing? I do not know much about ducks, but this is kind of what I was thinking...

 

[freezingmoon]

I can´t make the description fit to anything? It is too vague, even the one for the male

You´d like to know iris, color (yellow as you say?), color of undertail coverts, color of flanks, color and pattern of speculum, breast color, bill color, pattern and shape of scapulars and tertials, white or black neckring or none etc?

That is what I feared. I know the description is pretty vague, but it was all I was able to see. It's driving me nuts that I can't even find an image that has even the limited characteristics that I do know for sure that I saw. I specifically remember the large white stripe through its chin/neck, and I can't find any duck that has that. No neckring, and unable to identify any other traits. However in the future, it is good to know what to look for!