I decided to respond to the group as I think this is a ve
Hi Everyone,

I decided to respond to the group as I think this is a very interesting record. How about female Hooded Merganser x Wood Duck?

My initial thought was that the first image suggested a female Hooded Merganser. If it were a hybrid, one would think it would have to pair with a fellow cavity nester. I've heard of Hooded Merganser x goldeneye hybrids, but then I wondered about pairings of our state's two cavity nesting ducks. Then it started falling into place. The lower part coloration works better for hen Wood Duck than goldeneye, Bufflehead, or other mergansers. Also, note that if you zoom into the first image, you can see a faint white outline around the bill, as on a hen Wood Duck (example here: http://www.billhubick.com/images2/wood_duck_hen_ha_md_20080711.jpg). An Internet search proved that such a hybridization has been documented.

Good birding,

Bill
 Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com 



----- Original Message ----
From: James Tyler Bell <>
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Fw: Unusual mergansers, Howard Co.

Hi Tyler,
 
I just came across some recent photos of a couple of unusual mergansers at Centennial Lake (Columbia, Howard Co.):
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9106521@N07/3223582517/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9106521@N07/3223582363/
 
I was thinking these might be worth linking to MDOsprey.  I've tried to access the listserv, but can't seem to post anything.  If you think these ducks merit further attention, would you be able to post the above info?
 
Sorry for the completely random, unsolicited e-mail!
 
Cheers,
Dan