Mallard x Wigeon hybrid

[Bluffs Birder]

I was going through some older photos to add to my photo sharing page and for some reason it finally occurred to me just what the heck this strange looking duck is, it's a Mallard x Wigeon hybrid.  The bird was slightly smaller in size than a normal Mallard.  The photo was taken from the pond's viewing platform at Colonel Sam Smith Park back in March of this year.



Walter

[Reuven_M]

Looking at stuff online, certainly looks like a wigeon hybrid, but why no american x mallard? Cool bird anyways!

[Bluffs Birder]

Hi Reuven,

Thanks for your input.  I too did a little more searching on the net and yes, you are correct, it could very well be a Mallard x American Wigeon hybrid.  The body colours fit the Eurasian Wigeon exactly according to my Sibley Guide (and that"s what I was going by) but many claim it to be an American Wigeon cross.  Given the geographical location of the bird, an American hybrid does seem far more likely.  Interesting.

Walter