Eurasian Teal/Green Winged Teal Hybrid (5 Viewers)

[HnehpetS]

How would I identify a hybrid of Eurasian Teal and Green-winged Teal? Would the white stripe be diagonal instead of horizontal or vertical ... or would it have have both? I don't really have deep knowledge of how genes work but surely the genes of the wing must be separate to those of the breast feathers ..... or do these genes refer to some sort of subset of genes that give colour selection.... like a sub routine in a computer?

Cheers

Stephen

 

[Jono L]

Hi Stephen, I have seen a couple over the years and they have looked like a GWT, with the usual vertical stripe but on closer inspection have too much yellow framing around the green ear coverts, as on a Euro Teal.
Cheers, Jono

 

[James Lowther]

Hi Stephen,
i don't think a hybrid would ever show a diagonal stripe, as you guess the vertical and horizontal stripes of the two species are separate plumage features.
There are at least 5 different plumage elements that vary in the two species, in addition to the white stripes and the cream stripes on the head mentioned by Jono, the grey vermiculations are finer in green-winged, and the breast is a deeper pinkish buff.
Hybrids could show either a mix of plumage elements, or intermediate plumage elements.
some info here

Distinguishing Green-winged and Common Teal – Sibley Guides

www.sibleyguides.com

cheers,
James

 

[Paul Chapman]

Plenty of hybrid photos in eBird:-

Green-winged Teal (Eurasian x American) - Anas crecca crecca x carolinensis - Media Search - Macaulay Library and eBird

Explore millions of photos, audio recordings, and videos of birds and other animals; powered by Macaulay Library and eBird. The Macaulay Library collects, archives, and distributes wildlife media for research, education, and conservation.

media.ebird.org

All the best

Paul

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

I've seen one in the field that had both stripes, as shown in one of the images in the gallery Paul has shared.

 

[HnehpetS]

Thanks all for your input - apologies for delay in getting back, particularly because you made the effort for me.
I had planned to refer to the references offered but time has been against me - I've had a quick scan and will try to give them a proper read later today.
It's always a bit of a rush to see a GWT (in the UK) - what it must be like to see a 'double-striper' I can only imagine.
Thanks again

Stephen

 

[Steve Lister]

I have seen two 'double-stripers' in the UK. i guess they could be the result of vagrant Green-winged Teals staying on and breeding here.