hybrid duck? Quebec, Canada (1 Viewer)

jasperpatch

Amy, Brit in Quebec.

• Jan 31, 2019

• #1

Hello all,

Spotted yesterday. Behaviour and first glance gave Hooded Merganser, but it had a white spur on its right side only. All photos are the same bird.

Non-breeding Male in intermediate plumage? Hooded Merganser x Common Goldeneye? Partial Leucism? Just having a bad day?!

Just curious as I haven't spotted this plumage before, and it doesn't match the pictures/photos in my books or online.

Thanks,
Amy

 

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Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Feb 1, 2019

• #2

It certainly looks like a female hoodie except for the white stripe. Weird.

 

The Bird Nuts

Birding Duo

• Feb 1, 2019

• #3

I'd call it a male Hoodie with that all-black bill.

 

F

fugl

Well-known member

• Feb 1, 2019

• #4

The Bird Nuts said:

I'd call it a male Hoodie with that all-black bill.

Click to expand...

I would too were it not for the brown (rather than yellow) eye. Could it be an intersex, I wonder?

 

jasperpatch

Amy, Brit in Quebec.

• Feb 1, 2019

• #5

I guess it may remain a mystery then, without DNA testing or very intimate inspection!
Glad to know that I'm not alone in my confusion.

 

TLeukering

Well-known member

• Feb 3, 2019

• #6

https://cobirds.org/CFO/ColoradoBirds/InTheScope/82.pdf

 

jasperpatch

Amy, Brit in Quebec.

• Feb 3, 2019

• #7

TLeukering said:

https://cobirds.org/CFO/ColoradoBirds/InTheScope/82.pdf

Click to expand...

Many thanks, fascinating reading. So much to learn!

 

Andy Hurley

Gotta love nature!

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Feb 3, 2019

• #8

TLeukering said:

https://cobirds.org/CFO/ColoradoBirds/InTheScope/82.pdf

Click to expand...

Again, many thanks for this link and your work. Its bookmarked!