Bufflehead x ? hybrid:
I h
Highlights at E 72nd St, this morning:
Bufflehead x ? hybrid:
I had initially assumed that the bird was mixed with Hooded Merganser, but I'm now having second thoughts. While I continue to research, I would love to hear the comments of others.
Due to extremely foggy conditions, I was unable to obtain any stellar photos, but they get the point across. These are posted at http://www.rarebird.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4525&PID=13149#13149 This was a female bird, and appeared as a typical fem Bufflehead, but with the following subtle differences:
- Two white windows on the folded wing, but ONLY present/visible on the bird's left side. I thought at first that they may have been just concealed on opposite (right) wing, but after watching the bird preen, it seemed that these striking marks were, in fact, only present on the left wing. Very strange.
- Pale yellow eyes - quite obvious.
- Squared off head, with low forehead - very different from Bufflehead. Head on, side of face flat, without the "puffed out" typical of Bufflehead.
- Tail held erect and out of the water the entire time, rather than flat on the water as Bufflehead.
- White auricular mark elongated and rectangular, rather than rounded.
- A bit paler on the flanks and breast overall.
I hope that others are able to view and better photograph this unique bird.
Also present was a blue-phase Snow Goose, which dispersed eastward with Canadas.
Good birding -
Gabe Leidy
Cleveland
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