Hybrid duck, West Mids, UK (3 Viewers)

[Solihull Villan]

Saw this duck amongst a flock of Tufted Ducks this morning. Thought bill looked large for Tufted. Could it be a hybrid of some sort?

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

is a Greater Scaup possible?

It looks either like an eclipse male or a 1cy male imo.
If its a young bird, it would be quite advanced (?), but dark eye would be better for this.
Some eclipse male Greater Scaups still ghosting a male, your bird seems more female like. But I surely havent enough experience here. And isnt the worn plumage including tail better for an adult bird?

But better wait for Jörn and others. Thanks!

 

[mummymonkey]

I wonder if there's a frustrated ruddy duck in the area?

 

[Phil Andrews]

Saw this duck amongst a flock of Tufted Ducks this morning. Thought bill looked large for Tufted. Could it be a hybrid of some sort?

Do you have a location SV?

Never seen reference to a Ruddy x Tufted hybrid.

 

[Solihull Villan]

Ruddy Duck did cross my mind but was far from sure, if indeed this is the case.

 

[Solihull Villan]

The bird was at Olton Mere, in Solihull

 

[Solihull Villan]

Thanks for the input guys

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

Ruddy duck with an Aythya has never been documented, as far as I know, they are much too far related with other ducks. the Only hybrid I know there outside Oxyura x Oxyura is Lake duck, Oxyura vittata x Freckled duck , Stictonetta naevosa. Freckled ducks systematic position is not fully clear, i think - but it could be related to the stifftails, according to some authors...

 

[Solihull Villan]

Ruddy duck with an Aythya has never been documented, as far as I know, they are much too far related with other ducks. the Only hybrid I know there outside Oxyura x Oxyura is Lake duck, Oxyura vittata x Freckled duck , Stictonetta naevosa. Freckled ducks systematic position is not fully clear, i think - but it could be related to the stifftails, according to some authors...

Thanks Joern

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

de nada, but I think for safe ID of your bird we need better photos

 

[Solihull Villan]

de nada, but I think for safe ID of your bird we need better photos

Weather looks a bit better tomorrow so might try for some better pics if still there.

 

[Julie50]

Hello, Solihull Villan. Hope you have not suffered in the weather today!

 

[Solihull Villan]

Hello, Solihull Villan. Hope you have not suffered in the weather today!

Nice weather for ducks Julie, humans not so much!