Eurasian x American wigeon hybrid? (1 Viewer)

Hi all,

I thought this chap here might be a Eurasian x American wigeon hybrid. Slight green arc on the head coming back from the eye, steep forehead and the pink extends from the breast along the flanks someway.
http://tonykeenebirds.co.uk/random/w2.jpg
I've had from another (much more experienced birder) that his mum probably shacked up with an American, possibly for a set of nylons or some ration coupons, but just wondered what everyone else thinks
Heres a wider-angle version with a not-so -questionable Eurasian wigeon for comparison
http://tonykeenebirds.co.uk/random/w1.jpg
Photo taken at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB, Topsham, Devon on 03/12/2006.

Cheers,

Tony

A green "shadow" like that is quite common in Eurasian Wigeons. I think the flank just shows a few remains of its eclipse plumage... doesn't look as neat as I would expect in a hybrid.

Couple of relevant links from Cambridgeshire:

http://www.magikbirds.com/image.asp?title_id=898&show_thumbnails=False
http://www.magikbirds.com/image.asp?title_id=908&show_thumbnails=False

I agree with Xenospiza that the green gloss is relatively frequently seen in European Wigeon.

b***er.
Ah well...