Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: kat on June 06, 2014, 09:51:37 AM

Title: Odd Duck
Post by: kat on June 06, 2014, 09:51:37 AM

Does anyone know what this duck is? I am guessing it's some sort of hybrid.

Take not of the green head and secondaries, the white spot on it's head and the shape of its head.

Thanks!!

Kristina

Title: Re: Odd Duck
Post by: thouc on June 06, 2014, 11:22:06 AM

Probably some kind of hybrid Mallard.

Title: Re: Odd Duck
Post by: kat on June 06, 2014, 11:09:41 PM

But a hybrid with what?

Title: Re: Odd Duck
Post by: thouc on June 06, 2014, 11:16:54 PM

Hybrids with Gadwall can have those facial spots, but I'm really not sure.

Title: Re: Odd Duck
Post by: Walter Fisher on June 12, 2014, 12:00:49 PM

Hi Kristina,

The Mallard duck has been known to have bred with well over a hundred other different species of duck in the wild, plus it has been hybridized by humans for centuries, so unfortunately it does get a little confusing trying to identify them down to their origins.

Walter :)

Title: Re: Odd Duck
Post by: Brian Bailey on July 01, 2014, 12:19:39 PM

It's hard to be sure from your photo, but it looks like the Mallard X Wigeon hybrid that has been spotted irregularly on he western waterfront for several years.  Here's a link to the discussion on this board:  Mallard X Wigeon Hybrid (http://outdoorontario.net/birds/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=12194).

BB