Pure American Wigeon? (1 Viewer)

[MKinHK]

Pure American Wigeon? Hong Kong

This bird, which was photographed at extreme range today may be HK's first American Wigeon. Another view of what may be the same bird

I would be very interested to hear if there are any indications from these photos that this is a hybrid - as we have had several Eurasian X American Wigeon hybrids in the past - and the records committee will examine this issue closely.

There are accepted records from Taiwan & Japan so vagrancy along the W Pacific coast is not unknown.

It was in view at this range for over thirty minutes in good midday light, but unfortunately did not show the underwing. In the best light the flanks were tinged more pinkish than is shown in the pix.

I saw the bird (as well as the hybrid linked above) so would be happy to answer any follow-up questions to the best of my ability.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers
Mike

 

[teunissen]

I think it looks quite good actually.
For a few pictures of hybrids have a look at: http://waarneming.nl/soort/photos/2818
But for a first??? How did you exclude captive origin? (As if you ever could, but anyway, did you look for wing clippings or rings?)

 

[Tib78]

I agree with Teunissen. I see nothing that would suggest a hybrid.

 

[lewis20126]

Agreed,

I have seen both American Wigeon and hybrids in S Korea & Japan and this looks like a good American Wigeon. Whilst hybrids are variable this cannot surely be an F1?

Cheers, alan

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

Todays bird from Hong Kong shows no signs of being a hybrid from these photos. I would assume it is a pure American wigeon (Anas americana).

When comparing with the photos from Waarneming.nl, please note that this bird from 11-1-2005:

http://waarneming.nl/foto/view/427

http://waarneming.nl/foto/view/426

is a Chiloe wigeon x Eurasian Wigeon (Anas sibilatrix x Anas penelope), incorrectly identified as American x Eurasian Wigeon.

 

[mikfoz]

Just throwing this out there, but if escapes then bred (how do you classify generation X immigrants?) surely they would show no signs of wing clippings and rings...

 

[MKinHK]

Many thanks for all your responses.

The reason to focus on hybridisation is that we have had many hybrids, and this will bethe first issue considered by the records committee. We do not have the problem of escapes from captive waterfowl collections as a major issue here (passerines escaping or released to gain religious merit is a real problem however)

It would of course be nice too see the bird fly (or at least flap - to add the underwing coverts to the discussion) and rule out pinioned wings, and better if it were to come onto Mai Po from the bay and give us a chance to look for rings, but at 1km I'm amazed we got as much as we did - and am thankful for the skill of our photographers!

Cheers
Mike