White-faced Whistling-Duck x Fulvous Whistling-Duck

captive White-faced Whistling-Duck x Fulvous Whistling-Duck hybrid, Pensthorpe (Norfolk, UK), 9th March 2014 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo ID: 1546)

This bird was among Fulvous Whistling-Ducks, although there were White-faced Whistling-Ducks in another part of the collection.  The pale patch behind the eye was the most immediately obvious feature separating it from the accompanying Fulvous Whistling-Ducks.  Although this appears to extend further back than it does on White-faced Whistling-Duck the transverse barring on the flank feathers and pale subterminal band on the bill indicate that species was involved.  Although several species could theoretically have contributed to the overall fulvous colouration and whitish streaks on the flanks, the white uppertail-coverts support the most likely contender, Fulvous Whistling-Duck.

 

captive White-faced Whistling-Duck x Fulvous Whistling-Duck hybrid, Pensthorpe (Norfolk, UK), 9th March 2014 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo IDs: 1540-1545)

The next birds are very similar albeit darker bodied and with perhaps a little well-marked flanks.

White-faced Whistling-Duck x Fulvous Whistling-Duck hybrids, Burton Fleming (East Yorkshire , UK), 25th November 2015 - copyright Philip Ridsdale

(photo IDs: 3104-3106)

White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata

Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor

White-faced Whistling-Duck x West Indian Whistling-Duck

captive White-faced Whistling-Duck x West Indian Whistling-Duck hybrid, Blakeney (Norfolk, UK), 6th October 2012 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo ID: 0274)

Note West Indian Whistling-Duck is often known as Black-billed Whistling-Duck (not to be confused with Black-bellied Whistling-Duck).

Several species of Whistling-Duck are popular in wildfowl collections and species that don't normally encounter one other in the wild frequently produce hybrids.  Both the parent species were present in the same collection on the date the photos were taken (along with Fulvous Whistling-Duck).

captive White-faced Whistling-Duck x West Indian Whistling-Duck hybrid (same bird as in photo ID 0274 at top of page), Blakeney (Norfolk, UK), 6th October 2012 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo IDs: 0269-0273)

White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata
West Indian Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arborea