Hooded Merganser x Common Goldeneye in Colorado
Fellow Nikon Birding ProStaffer, Bill Schmoker, sent this my way of a bird he photographed a few days ago. This Hooded Merganser and Common Goldeneye cross is a real interesting mix. Can you see which one it is? The steep forehead of the Hooded Merganser stands out on the middle bird when compared to the two Common Goldeneyes on either side.
Most of the waterfowl across the Midwest United States have settled in so keep checking local ponds for interesting birds like this.
Thanks to Bill Schmoker for sending over his shots of this fine mixed bird using his Nikon EDG Fieldscope. All the best while birding out there!
When one looks at the head of this bird it superficially looks like a smooth Goldeneye head minus the large white spot in the supraloral area. The bill however, is tapered and shaped perfect for a male Hooded Merganser. What else can you notice about the head?
The shaggy crest of the Hooded Merganser is very noticeable on the nape of the head. See it? Once we get away from the head the one other attribute that is prominent the most is the finely checkered flanks that are present on Hoodies. On a Common Goldeneye those flanks would be pure white. Hybrids are really not that uncommon throughout the waterfowl world but are not detected as prominently as one would think. This hybrid in itself has been well documented before, but still very interesting. Check out a link at EcoBirder to see another example.
The shaggy crest of the Hooded Merganser is very noticeable on the nape of the head. See it? Once we get away from the head the one other attribute that is prominent the most is the finely checkered flanks that are present on Hoodies. On a Common Goldeneye those flanks would be pure white. Hybrids are really not that uncommon throughout the waterfowl world but are not detected as prominently as one would think. This hybrid in itself has been well documented before, but still very interesting. Check out a link at EcoBirder to see another example.
Most of the waterfowl across the Midwest United States have settled in so keep checking local ponds for interesting birds like this.
Thanks to Bill Schmoker for sending over his shots of this fine mixed bird using his Nikon EDG Fieldscope. All the best while birding out there!
1 comments:
That wet bird is a tough ID- reminds me of some Palearctic warbler. Thanks for the lesson in identification.
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