Quiscalus quiscula Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Could this bird be an American Black Duck x Mallard hybrid? The bird on the right. Seen today in upstate NY, many Mallards and several other black ducks present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Any other photos? Kinda looks like a domestic, but I could see it as a hybrid. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted January 9 Author Share Posted January 9 1 minute ago, Avery said: Any other photos? Kinda looks like a domestic, but I could see it as a hybrid. It's extremely uncommon to get domestics here, I have a few more but I don't think they'll help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 1 hour ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: The bird on the right. Did you mean the bird on the left? The orange-billed bird on the right is missing from about half of the photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted January 9 Author Share Posted January 9 25 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said: Did you mean the bird on the left? The orange-billed bird on the right is missing from about half of the photos. I mean the bird on the right, it's just I was focusing on the black duck and only really noticed the possible hybrid later. You can still see it dabbling. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 Wondering whether it's safe to enter as a hybrid or not or how I should report it...we have had hybrids in the county before... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 50 minutes ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: Wondering whether it's safe to enter as a hybrid or not or how I should report it...we have had hybrids in the county before... I would report it as a hybrid and see what your reviewer says. In VT, I have yet to have seen a domestic mallard in the wild, and I've seen three or four MALL x ABDU birds, so the hybrid option is more likely, as you said. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinHood Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 55 minutes ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: Wondering whether it's safe to enter as a hybrid or not or how I should report it These hybrids are common locally for me, probably five currently, with significant variations although the Sibley example is the most common. This one looks OK - I was going to suggest lightening the first photo but I'm not sure the head plumage would be more clear. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 2 minutes ago, RobinHood said: These hybrids are common locally for me, probably five currently, with significant variations although the Sibley example is the most common. This one looks OK - I was going to suggest lightening the first photo but I'm not sure the head plumage would be more clear. Well, this is it lightened anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 14 minutes ago, Avery said: I would report it as a hybrid and see what your reviewer says. In VT, I have yet to have seen a domestic mallard in the wild, and I've seen three or four MALL x ABDU birds, so the hybrid option is more likely, as you said. That's what I just did. He may accept it with photo proof. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinHood Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 Not much help (appears to be some green on the head?), but I think the bill colour should be good enough for the ID. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinHood Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 This one has the reverse of the head plumage shown in the Sibley example. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 45 minutes ago, RobinHood said: Not much help (appears to be some green on the head?), but I think the bill colour should be good enough for the ID. Yes, the head is mostly green. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.