Gadwall hybrids (Mareca strepera x ?), Mountain Valley Park, Yavapai County

These Gadwall hybrids were found and photographed by Walt Anderson on 01 January 2018

The first two photos and second two photos are of two different individuals. Gadwall traits dominate in both birds, but both have a more strongly bicolored head with some green, white tail, browner breast, and lack the brown tertials of adult male Gadwall. In addition, the first bird shows a black collar and chinstripe. The second bird shows green in the speculum and some pale patches on the bill.

Possible other parents that have been suggested are Northern Pintail, Mallard, and American Wigeon. Both of these individuals have longer, darker bills than typically shown by Gadwall x American Wigeon, and also lack the warmer coloration on the flanks of the latter species. Both Mallard and Northern Pintail hybrids with Gadwall can show a black collar like that on the first bird, so one of these is likely the other parent of that individual. Gadwall x Mallard typically show a larger bill and more contrast between the breast and the flanks. Most Gadwall x Northern Pintail have longer tails and lack green in the head, but that combination may be the best explanation for both of these birds.

01 January 2018, photo by Walt Anderson

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