What Duck is this?

[Dan P]

Taken 2-26-2021 in the afternoon at Puddingstone Lake in San Dimas, CA.

This bird was in the background of photo I took.  I can't tell what it is.

[Hasan]

Common Merganser.

[Aidan B]

That's a Male Common Merganser, the green head and skinny red bill on a white body is very distinctive.

Sniped by @hasen

Edited March 4, 2021 by Aidan B

[Dan P]

Really?  That bill didn't look right.  It looks yellowish orange and thick to me.  I thought it was a cross between a male Common Merganser and a female Northern Shoveler -- haha.

But I trust you guys.  Thanks.

[Jefferson Shank]

Yep. Common Merganser.

[DLecy]

7 hours ago, Dan P said:

 I thought it was a cross between a male Common Merganser and a female Northern Shoveler -- haha.

I’m not sure how serious you are being here or not, but NSHO x COME has never been recorded. It’s not a known hybrid combo, FWIW.
 

Hybrid should never really be the default thought process. There is lots of variation within species when observing birds. Although ducks are known to hybridize somewhat regularly, it pays to understand variation within a species first and foremost.

[Birding Boy]

And distortion can make the bill and other features appear much thicker and larger than it actually is, probably why NSHO x COME was suggested.

[Tony Leukering]

2 minutes ago, Birding Boy said:

And distortion can make the bill and other features appear much thicker and larger than it actually is, probably why NSHO x COME was suggested.

And getting to understand how lighting and telephoto lenses affect appearance is critical to IDing birds from such photos.

[Dan P]

4 hours ago, DLecy said:

I’m not sure how serious you are being here or not, but NSHO x COME has never been recorded. It’s not a known hybrid combo, FWIW.

Hybrid should never really be the default thought process. There is lots of variation within species when observing birds. Although ducks are known to hybridize somewhat regularly, it pays to understand variation within a species first and foremost.

Not being serious, but thanks for the advice DLecy.