Monkeylenz Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 This is in Cape May NJ In May. I think the one on the right is some kind of mallard hybrid and left a female mallard? I think these are Gadwalls? With how the feathers and brown on wings looks I'm pretty sure. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birds are cool Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 (edited) Correct. The Mallard looks like a American Black Duck x Mallard. Edited January 12 by Birds are cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 46 minutes ago, Birds are cool said: The Mallard looks like a American Black Duck x Mallard. I'm not convinced it's not just some thing with domestic genes. I don't see a lot of black duck elements in the plumage. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peromyscus Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 Just now, Quiscalus quiscula said: I'm not convinced it's not just some thing with domestic genes. I don't see a lot of black duck elements in the plumage. Me neither. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birds are cool Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 Could be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Fingers Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 (edited) I think you’re right about the Gadwalls. Edited January 12 by Snake Fingers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeylenz Posted January 12 Author Share Posted January 12 31 minutes ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: I'm not convinced it's not just some thing with domestic genes. I don't see a lot of black duck elements in the plumage. So you don't think it's a hybrid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 3 minutes ago, Monkeylenz said: So you don't think it's a hybrid? Correct, I don't think it's a black duck x mallard hybrid, although I think it has hybridization with domestic type mallards somewhere along the line. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 50 minutes ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: Correct, I don't think it's a black duck x mallard hybrid, although I think it has hybridization with domestic type mallards somewhere along the line. Agreed. I don't think any Mallards should be molting this time of year, so that leaved pigment problems, odd hormones or genetics as the culprit. Doesn't look like a pigment problem, I'm not seeing any mix of male/female plumage, and I'm not seeing hints of other species. Odd bird 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinHood Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 8 hours ago, Avery said: I don't think any Mallards should be molting this time of year Agree - looks like a male with some hybrid genes mixed in, but no strong Black Duck elements, so another odd Mallard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pictaker Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 11 hours ago, Avery said: Agreed. I don't think any Mallards should be molting this time of year, so that leaved pigment problems, odd hormones or genetics as the culprit. Doesn't look like a pigment problem, I'm not seeing any mix of male/female plumage, and I'm not seeing hints of other species. Odd bird I dont really have an opinion on the bird but as a FYI, the original post says it was taken in May.... not now... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 2 hours ago, pictaker said: I dont really have an opinion on the bird but as a FYI, the original post says it was taken in May.... not now... Ahhhhhh well then it could be molting 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinHood Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 4 hours ago, pictaker said: I dont really have an opinion on the bird but as a FYI, the original post says it was taken in May.... not now... Good point. Locally I don't see many moulting at this time (they really stand out) compared to late summer - it was the head pattern (classic hybrid) that sucked me in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilpa Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 21 hours ago, Monkeylenz said: I think the one on the right is some kind of mallard hybrid and left a female mallard? On my phone, but isn’t the female a Northern Shoveler with that small size relative to the Mallard and that bill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeylenz Posted January 12 Author Share Posted January 12 48 minutes ago, neilpa said: On my phone, but isn’t the female a Northern Shoveler with that small size relative to the Mallard and that bill? Lol I have no idea I'm not that great with certain ducks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Fingers Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 1 hour ago, neilpa said: On my phone, but isn’t the female a Northern Shoveler with that small size relative to the Mallard and that bill? You might be right, but I’m not sure about the bill. I could go either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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