Chestnut Teal x Tufted Duck

possible Chestnut Teal x Tufted Duck hybrid, Leathes Ham, Lowestoft (Suffolk, UK), 26th December 2012 - copyright Andrew Easton

(photo ID: 2032)

Dabbling duck (Anas sp.) x diving duck (Aythya sp.) hybrids can be a real challenge to identify and this one is no exception.  The site is frequented by ducks released for shooting - mainly British species (especially Wigeon, Gadwall and Pintail) but numerous hybrids have been seen here too.  Chestnut Teal of course is not a British species, but the red eye and ruddy plumage tones may point to that species being involved here.  The red eye could come from Pochard but if that were the Aythya parent would we not expect a paler back?  On the other hand are the finely vermiculated flanks shown above what you would expect on a Chestnut Teal hybrid?  This is certainly one that we haven't resolved yet.

Andy tells us that this bird was diving for food like an Aythya sp.  Other features he draws attention to include the speculum mostly green but with some blue, green or purple gloss to the head depending on the angle and subdued mottling to the breast.

possible Chestnut Teal x Tufted Duck hybrid (same bird as in photo ID 2032 above), Leathes Ham, Lowestoft (Suffolk, UK), 26th December 2012 - copyright Andrew Easton

(photo ID: 2033)

possible Chestnut Teal x Tufted Duck hybrid (presumably same bird as in photo IDs 2032-2033 above), Leathes Ham, Lowestoft (Suffolk, UK), 29th October 2012 - copyright Andrew Easton

(photo IDs: 2034-2035)

Chestnut Teal Anas castanea
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula