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Project Noah Nature School
Anas sp.
A duck with a black head, black beak, white neck band, brown body and turquoise-blue speculum.
Spotted on Jul 6, 2011
Submitted on Jul 9, 2011
16 Comments
Another page from that site about hybrid teals. There's one that also exhibits some features of your duck, including the typical black bill of a teal. http://10000birds.com/hybrid-teals.htm
Here's an interesting page on mallard hybrids. There is a picture of a supposed mallard/black duck hybrid that has some of the features of your bird as well as some interesting mallard/teal/pintail crosses. http://10000birds.com/hybrid-mallards.ht...
Mallard/black duck crosses are very common in the Northeast and the birds are really drab. I've never seen one with such rich chestnut coloring on its body.
Unfortunately, you can't always figure out the hybridization from a picture. You can always refer the Latin name up to what you believe to be a common level. Anyone have a problem with the following?
Mallard Hybrid
Anas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anas
If there is not issue, please update spotting.
We know that it is not a hybrid with the Laysan duck. I only mentioned that because they look so amazingly similar. The range of the Laysan is quite far from your spotting and it is endangered. I searched for breeding programs near the spotting but those are also quite far away. None of these were along the mallard migration route.
Could it be mallard x American black duck (or mottled duck)?
Sarah, I looked up this Laysan duck and wow! It looks amazingly similar except for the parts you mentioned. I bet it's a hybrid between that and a mallard. Or it's just a freak.
Possibly a blue-winged teal? But also look at the American Wigeon.
mallard hybrid is the possiblity
but mallard x ????
While this is absolutely crazy, the closest I've "seen" is the Laysan Duck. The eye ring and neck ring are a bit of an issue. With something so extremely endangered and so far from its home, the probability is very low.
That sure is one interesting duck! Vaguely mallard-like breast and neck ring, but the chestnut feathers extend over the whole body and it has a black beak like a blue-winged teal. Can teals and mallards interbreed? Or is it some exotic species?
mallard is a good guess...I caught one which has some blue in the wing
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/685...
The white neck band is typical of the mallard and the dark coloring of the black muscovy--possibly a hybrid?
could it be blue-winged teal?
Loved the blue in between the brown. Lovely combination.
What a beautiful bird!