Redhead x Ring-necked Duck

Redhead x Ring-necked Duck hybrid, Siena Pond, Broomfield County (Colorado, USA), 27th December 2012 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1243)

Steve tells us that Scaup x Ring-necked Duck hybrids normally show less of a white terminal band on the bill and whiter sides, but of course the reddish hue on the head should rule out that possibility once seen.  Cathy was birding with Steve when he found this bird and she notes the maroon-coloured head, the darker back (compared to Redhead) and the more peaked head shape.  Apparently the tail feathers were also a shade darker than on Redhead.

Redhead x Ring-necked Duck hybrid (same bird as in photo ID 1243 above; with Redhead), Siena Pond, Broomfield County (Colorado, USA), 27th December 2012 - copyright Cathy Sheeter

(photo IDs: 1886-1887)

The flight views reveal further differences from Scaup hybrids - Steve points out that the entire speculum should be whiter in a cross with Greater Scaup and the secondaries/inner primaries should be paler in a hybrid with Lesser Scaup.

There is a photo of known (captive) Redhead x Ring-necked Duck hybrids on www.taxidermy.net.

Redhead x Ring-necked Duck hybrid (same bird as in photo ID 1243 and photo IDs 1886-1887 above; with Redhead), Siena Pond, Broomfield County (Colorado, USA), 27th December 2012 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 1239-1242)

Below is a second bird.  We can see that Redheads were present but Steve tells us there were no Ring-necked Ducks here.

Redhead x Ring-necked Duck hybrid (with Redheads), Loloff Reservoir, Weld County (Colorado, USA), 6th April 2015 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 2228-2230)

Redhead Aythya americana
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris