Baikal Teal (Anas formosa), Gilbert Water Ranch, Maricopa County

This Baikal Teal was discovered by Gary Nunn and photographed by Brendon Grice on 02 December 2010 in Pond 1 at the Gilbert Water Ranch and again on 03 December 2010 by James Jerome and Carl Stangeland, on 04 December by Mureil Neddermeyer, David Rosenberg and Cindy Marple and on 05 December 2010 by Bernie Howe. 

Gary Nunn writes on his original discovery of the bird:

"The bird appears to be in intermediate molt from juvenile or eclipse (basic) plumage into alternate plumage.  The head (wow!), chest, underparts appear molted but flank feather and wing molt is not complete.  It shows a small white vertical flank bar, and I could not discern any full scapulars.  Wings and the flank feathering just below the wings appear dark brown with paler brown edging.  The wings having darker brown edges than the flank feathers..  Further detailed photographs may provide better indication of
the age and plumage state of the bird.  I checked a few resources online and the plumage condition matched expectations for molt in this species at this date."

Potential first state record.  However, the origin of rare waterfowl is always subject to question.  Is the bird wild or an escape?  The ABA Checklist 7th edition says of Baikal Teal: west coast Canada and US reports are considered vagrants while reports from the interior in CO, OK, LA, NC, OH, Ontario have been questioned because of uncertain provenance.

When waterfowl are kept in captivity, their owners are required by law to mark them either with bands or by removing a hind toe (hallux). Of course, this is not always done.  The photos show that this bird is not banded on either leg and has both of its hind toes.  Although the bird is obviously molting into alternate plumage, in these photos the wing feathers also appear to be in excellent condition with no sign of fraying as might be expected in a captive bird, even on the older outer primaries.  None of this proves that the bird is of wild origin, but the bird does not appear to have any of the obvious signs that would indicate captive origin.   

02 December 2010, photo by Brendon Grice

03 December 2010, photos by James Jerome

03 December 2010, photos by Muriel Neddermeyer

04 December 2010, photo by David Rosenberg

04 December 2010, photo by Cindy Marple

03 December 2010, photos by Carl Strangeland

05 December 2010, photos by Bernie Howe

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer