Barrow's Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser

Barrow's Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrid, Lake Merritt, Oakland (California, USA), 19th December 2007- copyright Doug Greenberg

(photo ID: 2080)

Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrids are not infrequently reported in North America but in most cases the Goldeneye parent is a Common Goldeneye.   This Goldeneye parent of this bird is believed to be a Barrow's.  Joern has mentioned that in his experience Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrids generally show a greenish head gloss, more white on scapulars and paler flanks.  Some individuals also have odd white markings on the head (differing from those of either parent) - but of course it may be that this is true of some Barrow's hybrids too.

This striking bird wintered at the same site for several winters and has proved quite popular: many birders have travelled to see and photograph it - Doug's photos are especially impressive!

Barrow's Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrid (same bird as in photo ID 2080 above), Lake Merritt, Oakland (California, USA), 19th December 2007- copyright Doug Greenberg

(photo ID: 2079)

 Barrow's Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrid (same bird as in photo IDs 2079-2080 above), Lake Merritt, Oakland (California, USA), 16th December 2007- copyright Doug Greenberg

(photo IDs: 2077-2078)

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus

Goldeneye sp. x Hooded Merganser

possible Goldeneye sp. x Hooded Merganser hybrid, location unspecified but presumed to be shot in North America, date unspecified but presumed to be on or shortly before 4th February 2015 - copyright Billy Hull

(photo ID: 1824)

This is the second of the shot ducks I've been sent photos of in the last few days.  The correspondent (Bunn Boddie) wondered about Wood Duck x Goldeneye, but while I can certainly see Goldeneye in it I suspect the thinness of the bill may point to Hooded Merganser as the second parent.  This is a more likely hybrid - one that's known to occur regularly in the wild - and the wing pattern is more as I would expect on such a hybrid.

The yellow on the bill is more extensive than on Hooded Merganser or on typical Common Goldeneye, and that makes me wonder if the Goldeneye parent might have been Barrow's Goldeneye.  However, as some Common Goldeneyes can show more extensive yellow-orange colour on the bill than normal individuals I suspect they may carry the necessary genes to throw up such a feature in a hybrid.

To my eyes the photos seem to show a hint of green plumage on the head, especially at the rear of the crown.  I'm not sure if this is real, but if so that would suggest it is not a female Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrid, but it may be ok for a first-winter male (or alternatively it could be an intersex female).

possible Goldeneye sp. x Hooded Merganser hybrid (same bird as in photo ID 1824 above), location unspecified but presumed to be shot in North America, date unspecified but presumed to be on or shortly before 4th February 2015 - copyright Billy Hull

(photo IDs: 1822-1823)

Common Goldeney Bucephala clangula
Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus

Common Goldeneye x Barrow's Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye x Barrow's Goldeneye hybrid, Mukilteo, Snohomish County (Washington, USA), 1st March 2007 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1490)

Steve has found four of these hybrids and notes:

"Each time, it was the combination of no shoulder spur (the little black spur extending down just behind chest in Barrow's) and an intermediate scapular/wing-covert pattern that has caught my eye.  Unlike the facial spot, the differences noted above can be seen from a fairly wide variety of angles and a fair distance."

Common Goldeneye x Barrow's Goldeneye hybrid (same bird as in photo ID 1490 above, with Barrow's Goldeneye, Mukilteo, Snohomish County (Washington, USA), 1st March 2007 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1491)

Common Goldeneye x Barrow's Goldeneye hybrid, John Day Dam, Columbia River (Washington, USA), 9th January 2011 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1571)

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica