Common Goldeneye in St. Louis County
2010-12-06

Common in St. Louis County in the Winter season

I had been hoping to get photos of the two hybrid ducks found at Canal Park in Duluth back on 27 November, but didn't expect to get them both in the same photo! The hybrid Barrow's X Common Goldeneye is on the left, and the hybrid Hooded Merganser X Common Goldeneye is shown in the upper right. The hybrid Barrow's X Common Goldeneye shows an intermediate head and bill shape, it shows a more Common Goldeneye-like scapular pattern and lacks the Barrow's dark spur on the fore-flanks, but it shows a Barrow's-like loral spot that is pointed in shape at the top and extends above the level of the eye. This bird also consistently showed purplish head sheen in contrast to the Common's greenish head sheen, and this features shows in the photo. The Hooded Merganser X Common Goldeneye also shows an intermediate bill and head shape, but otherwise appears quite Hooded Merganser-like; however, note the more extensive white in the scapulars and wing coverts, the reduced double dark spurs on the fore-flanks, the greenish head sheen, and obviously the almost complete absence of a white hood.

Karl J. Bardon