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Wigeon Hybrid (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Barryb
- Start date
BirderoftheNorth
Well-known member
I think you're right, because it has the characteristics of both.
Dougie Preston
I live for this S**T
Certainly looks that way to me too.
This issue was just discussed in a recent thread (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=107589). According to the European birders, it is "normal" for Eurasian Wigeon to occasionally show this green patch. The only characteristic of American Wigeon that this bird shows is the green patch (it does not show any pink on the sides or back, for example). Thus, it would appear to me that this is not a hybrid.
Jim
Jim
Thanks all and thanks for pointing out that thread J. Moore.
Its strange that I have seen quite a few wigeon over the years and this is the only Eurasian wigeon I have seen with this extensive green patch on it. I have often seen them with a small eye patch but nothing like this extending over the head. The forehead was also noticeably paler than the other wigeon in the area and in the field the body colour did seem slightly different but I couldn't get a picture with a Eurasian alongside. The Sibley guide I have does show the green not making its way to the back of the head though and certainly with more pink along the flanks.
Barry
Its strange that I have seen quite a few wigeon over the years and this is the only Eurasian wigeon I have seen with this extensive green patch on it. I have often seen them with a small eye patch but nothing like this extending over the head. The forehead was also noticeably paler than the other wigeon in the area and in the field the body colour did seem slightly different but I couldn't get a picture with a Eurasian alongside. The Sibley guide I have does show the green not making its way to the back of the head though and certainly with more pink along the flanks.
Barry
Steve Waite
What you looking at?
These birds pop up now and then, but I'm certain they are just Wigeon. If they were hybrids they would show more features from the American parent. There was a bird on the Exe at the start of this winter everyone was claiming as a hybrid, and I've seen a couple on the Axe in past winters. They basically look like an Eurasian Wigeon with green eye stripes, and you are right Barry, male Eurasian Wig also regular show small green eye patches.
marklhawkes
Well-known member
Agree with other. If you look hard enough, a small proportion of Eurasian Wigeon show green patches around the eye. I have seen numerous birds over the years, including some in the Paxton/Buckden area of Cambs.
