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Scaup hybrid

Photograph Copyright © Ashley Fisher

Duck identification can be full of pitfalls. Apart from the perennial 'escape issue', many of our wildfowl species are prone to hybridisation. One of the classic, and almost annual issues, involves the purity of  Scaup which occasionally appear on local waters. This bird [top] was photographed by Ashley Fisher in early February 2001 at Thrybergh CP, where it was regular during the 2000-2001 winter but occasionally went missing.  Unfortunately this photograph doesn't show one of the salient features for recognising cross-breeding, the size and shape of the black nail on the bill-tip. The colour of the bare-parts [including the eye] can often be useful in such issues, as can the state and timing of moult.  Some observers [including the photographer] believe this individual to be a hybrid. Question is .... is this the same bird that spent a day at RVCP on 21st January 2001?  Last updated 24th February 2001.

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