Hybrid Duck, Western Massachusetts, USA (1 Viewer)

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TKbird

Well-known member

• Oct 28, 2020

• #1

Hello!

I found this duck in western MA on 10/11. My best guess is a (perhaps molting) Mallard x Northern Pintail hybrid with domestic/Pekin genes. It was hanging out with Mallards and flew off with them. It was only a tad longer than the Mallards, but noticeably bulkier (as you can see).

https://ebird.org/checklist/S74721182

Thanks in advance!

TKbird

 

A

aeshna5

Well-known member

• Oct 28, 2020

• #2

It certainly seems to be a Mallard (wild or domestic) cross with Pintail. Certainly can see the Pintail influence with the long neck, head /bill pattern & shape.

 

T

TKbird

Well-known member

• Oct 28, 2020

• #3

aeshna5 said:

It certainly seems to be a Mallard (wild or domestic) cross with Pintail. Certainly can see the Pintail influence with the long neck, head /bill pattern & shape.

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Thanks for the help! The main reasons I suggest domestic ancestry as well are the bulkiness and the absence of remotely similar birds in Mallard x Northern Pintail photos that I can find.

 

R

Rotherbirder

Well-known member

• Oct 28, 2020

• #4

The row of large, upper flank feathers and the general build and proportions scream A. acuta.

RB

 

T

TKbird

Well-known member

• Oct 28, 2020

• #5

Rotherbirder said:

The row of large, upper flank feathers and the general build and proportions scream A. acuta.

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Thanks! Does this look pure to you? I would have thought a pure Mallard x Northern Pintail would have had both a slenderer neck and body.

 

Joern Lehmhus

Well-known member

• Oct 28, 2020

• #6

most likely Mallard x Northern Pintail , but the dark shadow in the bill pattern in this shape is unusual , and also thetthere isn´t yet a hint of white neckring /( but moult may not be advanced enough)

however, i have also seen photos of a probable 3 wy hybrid (trigen) (mallard x black duck) x pintail, which also lacked the neckring. so this might be another , though less likely possibility