This was photographed today in Saint John, NB in a tidal creek. The duck in question is on the left. I'm stumped with the white cheek crescent and buff cheek patch. The eye also seems beadier than a typical Mallard. Any idea what the hybrid mix might be?
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Hybrid duck - Saint John, NB (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Juncoed
- Start date
Welsh Peregrine
Well-known member
I believe a Baikal type head pattern often arises in hybrids without deriving from a BT parent.
Seanbirds
Amateur photographer
Probably Mallard x American Black Duck.
nartreb
Speak softly and carry a long lens
1st-gen Mallard x ABD often has what I think of as a wigeon-like head pattern: from about eye level upward is iridescent, the cheeks and neck plain. This one is greener than I've seen before, but can't think what else it could be besides a mallard with an aberrant cheek patch. The bright yellow bill with black nail supports ABD (and/or mallard), and most of the rest of the bird is very mallardy. I'm stumped by the white crescent and white dot - they rather look like stains, but there's also a white ring on the neck.
The bird in front is a likely male ABD - could they be related?
The bird in front is a likely male ABD - could they be related?
Joern Lehmhus
Well-known member
As said , American Black duck x Mallard, though with an extreme head pattern.
here are some others with this trait but less pronounced
I don´t see anything weir d about the bill shape? it is just an odd angle.
here are some others with this trait but less pronounced
I don´t see anything weir d about the bill shape? it is just an odd angle.
