Canvasback x (Redhead or Ring-necked Duck)

Canvasback x Ring-necked Duck or Canvasback x Redhead hybrid, Erie Reservoir, Boulder County (Colorado, USA), 4th February 2015 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1821)

Steve's photos of this one might not be his best but they were taken shortly before dusk on a cloudy day, so I think we can forgive him ;-)  He notes:

"The bill seemed to have some black around the base of the bill, and probably on the saddle [see photo ID 1819 below] as well as at the tip.  The bird looked paler than any of these photos indicated, with a distinctly darker head and upper neck.  No eyering."

Steve also tells us that there are photos of a male Canvasback x Redhead hybrid in the eBird collection that shows a bird "that alternates from the more Canvasback profile to that weird slope coming up of the bill and then flattening out on the crown".  He goes on to say:

"This bird has a bit more white around the face than I'd expect form this cross [Canvasback x Redhead].  It was with a Redhead and a Ring-necked Duck male, switching its attention from one to the other.  Its speculum was that of Ring-necked Duck/Canvasback/Redhead but not a scaup (or Tufted!).  My experience with Ring-necked Duck x Scaup hybrids is that the hybrids show the scaup parent's speculum.  The bird was smaller than the Redhead, so I wonder... Question, could this be a Canvasback x Ring-necked Duck?  I am actually leaning that way"

Canvasback x Ring-necked Duck or Canvasback x Redhead hybrid (same bird as in photo ID 1821 above), Erie Reservoir, Boulder County (Colorado, USA), 4th February 2015 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 1818-1820)

Canvasback Aythya valisineria
Redhead Aythya americana
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris