Aix sp. (Madrid, Spain) (1 Viewer)

[SLopezM]

Hello everyone! I found this bird today in Guadalix de la Sierra, Madrid, Spain. I am not sure if it could be Aix galericulata or A. sponsa and these are the reasons for it:

-The white marks on its face remind me of A. galericulata.
-The dark beak reminds me of A. sponsa.
-Both A. galericulata and A. sponsa have been seen in the area, although A. sponsa seems more common there.

 

[aeshna5]

I understand the confusion from the points you raised but believe it's A. galericulata, Mandarin from the pattern of white around & behind the eye. In A. sponsa, Wood Duck, it doesn't extend behind the eye like this & more white around the eye itself. I would have expected the nail to be paler, but don't think it's A. sponsa.

 

[Butty]

Certainly a mandarin from the face-pattern, as above.

 

[antpitta26]

Mandarin - tail, wing wrong for WODU too (both eclipse male or female)

 

[SLopezM]

Thank you all for your help!