Eurasian x American Wigeon hybrid, Scottsdale, Maricopa County

American Wigeons commonly winter in Arizona, but Eurasian Wigeons are casual to rare. This bird, found at the Scottsdale McCormick Ranch, has plumage characteristics of a typical Eurasian Wigeon including rufous supercilium and nape, small amount of green on the head, and gray back. However, other characteristics normally typify American Wigeon, in particular grayish auriculars and throat that contrast in color with the nape and supercilium. Finally, the gray/pinkish flanks and pale buffy forehead are intermediate in color between the two species. The duck is a Eurasian x American Wigeon hybrid. Note that the plumage of this bird is very similar to that of another such hybrid that spent several consecutive winters at Wilcox Lake, Cochise County, AZ: See http://www.azfo.org/gallery/eurxamer.html.

11 February 2007 photo by Pierre Deviche