Hooded Merganser? Possible Hybrid? (1 Viewer)

[hamlinjk15u]

Seen at Rockland Recreational Area, Old Hickory Lake, Nashville, TN.

There have been reports for the last few weeks of a Hooded Merganser at this location. A few weeks back I got a horribly backlit photo of what looked to be a Hooded Merganser, but couldn't confirm it for sure, so never counted it. Today, however, I was able to get some really great photos of what I believe everyone has been counting on eBird as a Hooded Merganser.

However, in looking at lots of photos of Hooded Mergansers, this one just doesnt seem to match up. Coupled with the fact that both the first time I saw it (presumably the same bird), and this time today, it was with appx 30 Mallards, I am wondering if it could possibly be a Mallard X Hooded Merganser hybrid? Easily seen as smaller than the Mallards around it, it doesn't seem to have the puffy head of a Hooded Merganser, nor the typical colors, even of a female, although possibly that of a 1st year juvi. At least from what I have been able to find (Stokes, Sibley guides, Merlin, Audubon apps, and general Google photo search). The red eye throws me off as well as everything I see is Hooded Mergansers have yellow eyes.

What do you guys think?

 

[Butty]

Normal hooded merganser. The tail-feathers are extremely worn, so I assume it's an adult in eclipse. Eclipse ducks of many species can look odd and confusing. (Don't quote me - because I know nothing about it - but I'd guess that a hybrid between any merganser species and mallard would be extremely unlikely.)

 

[hamlinjk15u]

Normal hooded merganser. The tail-feathers are extremely worn, so I assume it's an adult in eclipse. Eclipse ducks of many species can look odd and confusing. (Don't quote me - because I know nothing about it - but I'd guess that a hybrid between any merganser species and mallard would be extremely unlikely.)

Ah yes eclipse! Gets me every time! And i agree with the size difference it would be quite the event if there was a hybrid. I am curious then why this one is is consistently hanging out with this Mallard group? And it seemed to follow a specific eclipsed male Mallard around when it was out paddling.

 

[Butty]

with the size difference it would be quite the event if there was a hybrid

(Relative) size is not the point. It's the fact that mergansers and mallard are (as ducks go) fairly highly unrelated.

 

[hamlinjk15u]

(Relative) size is not the point. It's the fact that mergansers and mallard are (as ducks go) fairly highly unrelated.

I wasnt aware of the reason you specifically meant due to the fact it wasnt explained. So size doesnt really ever play a part in mating? Im personally not really familiar with family relativity, or how that plays into mating allowances or typical behavior. Guess I need to educate myself more before asking wild questions

 

[Butty]

Wild questions are just fine.

 

[Butty]

Im personally not really familiar with family relativity

(Very very) broadly speaking, it's about how many pages they are apart in your field guide. Most field guides will say what family (or other grouping) a given species is part of.

 

[hamlinjk15u]

(Very very) broadly speaking, it's about how many pages they are apart in your field guide. Most field guides will say what family (or other grouping) a given species is part of.

very interesting! I had no idea. thank you for the education!