Hybrid Redhead x Ring-necked Duck at Frenchmans Bay

Pickering, east of Toronto, Ontario on 15 March 2018

This interesting hybrid is in the southwest corner of Frenchmans Bay, Pickering feeding with Redheads along the edge of the melting ice. 15 March 2018. I first spotted it on 14 March 2018 and subsequently learned that Charmaine Anderson found it back in February and posted photos on eBird and Facebook.

VIDEO of hybrid Redhead x Ring-necked Duck swimming

Head dark reddish-brown, narrow and peaked in certain positions, similar to a Ring-necked Duck. Iris bright orange like Redhead. Bill is like both Redhead and Ring-necked Duck with bright white band across back of the nail. Bill is also outlined with a thin white band along the gape and around face, which is much wider on Ring-necked Duck, but nonexistent on Redhead. Frenchmans Bay, Pickering on 15 March 2018.

Flanks are the shape of Ring-necked Duck with pale spur at front. Back is dark grey and contrasts with the breas, whereas on Ring-necked the back is black, the same colour as the breast. When this bird feeds among the male Redheads it blends in well and can be hard to pick out.

Adult male Ring-necked Duck for comparison

Links

AGAIN Hybrid Redhead x Ring-necked Duck, Frenchman's Bay, Pickering, 17 March 2018 - photos & video