Who's this?

[Birdchick]

Hello all! This is my first post here! Hopefully these links work. This weirdo showed up in the pond in Col. Sam Smith Park on March 15. That is a yellow spot over both ears. I'm thinking Mallard X Teal hybrid? I have seen what I thought was the same species over the winter in Humber Bay West, but now I wonder if it's the same individual!

[Reuven_M]

This Mallard x American Wigeon hybrid has been returning to the Etobicoke waterfront since at least 2009!
http://reuvenmartin.blogspot.ca/2013/04 ... ybrid.html

[Birdchick]

Wow thanks Reuven, that's amazing! I'm surprised he has been around for that long! I have seen him off and on for the last 2 years, mostly along the Mimico Waterfront Park hanging out with mallards. I finally got a photo, though unfortunately not very good because I was crouched in some bushes. Interesting hybrid!

[Brian Bailey]

I saw him there again last Saturday. Considering how uncommon this hybrid is, I found it really surprising to encounter what appears to be another American Wigeon X Mallard hybrid in Mimico last month.

This second bird has more white on the face, a yellower bill, and a Mallard tail curl.

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S27743738

BB

[Birdchick]

I saw the one in question in Mimico Waterfront Park all winter as well. I wonder if they are somehow related!