Aythya hybrid 27/02-2011

This odd aythya was found by Tim Hesselballe Hansen at Faaborg Marina Fuen Denmark today the 27th Feb 2011.


In my opinion this bird is a Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) X Common Pochard (Aythya ferina), it might even be a backcross with Tufted Duck.



This bird might look like a Tufted Duck, but several characters reveals it as a hybrid.
Note first of all the slightly paler mantle. The iris is duller yellow and the tuft is short. The nostril is long and slim, and the shape of the bill is closer to that of Common Pochard. 

If the bird was a 1g hybrid, it would have a clear contrast between mantle and the brast. The tuft would often be a shorter bunp in the back, the colour of the head is darker mahogany and the iris is orangeyellow. The bill pattern is normaly a big black tip and it showes a paler band over it, and form base down to the nostrills is dark grey.      

Adult male, the black nail is slightly larger that on Tufted Duck. Note how the bill seems almost straight on the lower part.

Photo: Tim Hesselballe Hansen, February 2011, Faaborg Marina.
 

Adult male, note the short tuft and how the mantle is just slightly brighter than the black parts of the bird.

Photo: Tim Hesselballe Hansen, February 2011, Faaborg Marina.