Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Swallows Park, Clarkston, Asotin County (Washington, USA), 15th January 2015 - copyright Keith Carlson

(photo ID: 2028)

Vagrant American Wigeons turn up regularly among the Wigeon flocks in western Europe and hybrids between the two species appear from time to time.  A similar situation occurs in east Asia, while the mirror situation occurs with Eurasian Wigeon turning up among American flocks in east and west North America (especially in the Pacific north-west, I understand).

The first series of photos here show what is assumed to be the same bird returning each winter for at least 9 consecutive years.

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Swallows Park, Clarkston, Asotin County (Washington, USA), 21st December 2007 - copyright Keith Carlson

(photo ID: 2018)

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Swallows Park, Clarkston, Asotin County (Washington, USA), 11th January 2008 - copyright Keith Carlson

(photo ID: 2019)

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Swallows Park, Clarkston, Asotin County (Washington, USA), 14th January 2009 - copyright Keith Carlson

(photo ID: 2020)

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Swallows Park, Clarkston, Asotin County (Washington, USA), 5th December 2009 - copyright Keith Carlson

(photo IDs: 2021-2022)

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Swallows Park, Clarkston, Asotin County (Washington, USA), 7th January 2010 - copyright Keith Carlson

(photo ID: 2023)

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Swallows Park, Clarkston, Asotin County (Washington, USA), 6th December 2010 - copyright Keith Carlson

(photo ID: 2024)

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Swallows Park, Clarkston, Asotin County (Washington, USA), 29h November 2012 - copyright Keith Carlson

(photo ID: 2025)

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Swallows Park, Clarkston, Asotin County (Washington, USA), 18th December 2012 - copyright Keith Carlson

(photo ID: 2026)

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Swallows Park, Clarkston, Asotin County (Washington, USA), 10th January 2014 - copyright Keith Carlson

(photo ID: 2027)

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Swallows Park, Clarkston, Asotin County (Washington, USA), 15th January 2015 - copyright Keith Carlson

(photo ID: 2029)

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Swallows Park, Clarkston, Asotin County (Washington, USA), 23rd November 2015 - copyright Keith Carlson

(photo ID: 2308)

Steve thinks the dark neck collar and chin may be atypical for this hybrid although it seems to be shown on both of the next birds.  There is quite a bit of variation in Eurasian Wigeon with respect to this feature so perhaps we should expect to see that variation come through in their hybrids?

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Olympia (Washington, USA), 23rd January 2011 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 2186-2187)

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Oak Harbor (Washington, USA), 19th December 2009 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 2219-2220)

Although this hybrid can occur on the eastern seaboard of North America, in Europe and in eastern Asia, here is another one from the west side of North America where it seems to be most frequently recorded.

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid (with American Wigeons), Kelowna (British Columbia, Canada), 2nd February 2015 - copyright Ian Walker

(photo ID: 2786)

The next bird was reported as either an American Wigeon or a hybrid but by the time I arrived some people thought it might even be just a weird Eurasian Wigeon.  I can't see that personally, but it does look good for a hybrid.  My only hesitation is over whether Eurasian Wigeon x Chiloe Wigeon can be ruled out.  I would expect a Chiloe hybrid to show more orange tones on the flanks where as this bird showed very American-like deep brownish pink tones - however this may be within range for Eurasian x Chiloe (see the photos we have of that hybrid here, one of which looks rather similar to this bird).  Indeed Joern has also picked up on the possibility of this bird being Eurasian x Chiloe, though he is also uncertain.  He points out the extent of dark on the crown which is not typical of Eurasian x American, though sometimes this hybrid may have some dark in the crown.  Some Eurasian Wigeon can have some dark in the crown too, so this is perhaps not necessarily proof of Chiloe Wigeon influence, but maybe it does point that way.  The fact that my photos aren't good doesn't help!  Worth noting that Wigeon hybrids appear to be fertile so Chiloe Wigeon hybrid backcrossed with Eurasian Wigeon should also be considered.

possible Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid (with Eurasian Wigeon), Cley (Norfolk, UK), 7th February 2015 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo IDs: 1814-1817)

The next bird seems like a fairly clear-cut hybrid.  Len points out that the pale forehead mark is two-toned.  The base of the bill is faintly outlined in black.  This bird was associating with American Wigeons.

Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, Gallinas (California, USA), 18th January 2015 - copyright Len Blumin

(photo IDs: 2922-2924)

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
American Wigeon Anas americana
Chiloe Wigeon Anas sibilatrix