Hybrid diving duck? Montenegro, today (1 Viewer)

[James111]

Seen today (1st April 2023) on western Lake Skadar, Montenegro. May be totally wrong but my best guess is a hybrid common pochard x ferruginous duck. At first I just thought it was an odd pochard but the strongly-marked back and not-red eye made me wonder about a hybrid. I haven't seen any pochards here (unless this is one!), but have seen one ferruginous duck.

Unfortunately it was distant and these are all the (bad) photos.

 

[Andy Hurley]

I think its a female Pochard. Are they the same bird?

 

[James111]

I think its a female Pochard. Are they the same bird?

Yeah, same bird. Thanks for pointing that out! I think the reasonably uniformly-coloured and darkish head made me think it wasn't a female pochard but having looked at more pictures, seems like it probably is. Should have come to that conclusion myself!

Cheers

 

[Andy Hurley]

Its a difficult one with various light conditions. Hence my question. Im sometimes convinced I've got something exotic, post on this forum and told no, normal as can be. I tend to see it more easily in other people's photos than my own. Don't beat yourself up over it, sometimes IDs are difficult in the field. It enriches your knowledge and makes you more successful in what you love to do!