Mexican Duck marina at Cherry Creek SP (Arapahoe county(

[Ben S]

Hi all -
Mexican Duck male being seen just now at marina at CCSP. Appears to be pure, not Mallard hybrid. Olive bill, dark torso contrasts with head. Writing from my phone, so I will upload pictures when I get home.

Ben Sampson,
Centennial CO

[Ben S]

Hi all -

The male Mexican Duck swam close to a female Mallard the whole time I was there; possible pair? Again, I believe this to be a pure Mexican Duck. The tail shows no signs of Mallard hybridization. However, it seeems Mexican Duck X Mallard hybrids are much more common in CO than pure Mexican, so if someone disagrees with the pure Mexican Duck ID I am open to that feedback. Appears to be first Arapahoe county ebird record! Here is the photo I promised: 

My ebird checklist has more photos: https://ebird.org/edit/checklist?subID=S51684135

Ben Sampson 

Centennial, CO 

[Joshua Smith]

The warm brown breast (contrasting with the sides) and slightly upturned tail feathers are traits of a male Mallard x Mexican Duck intergrade.  

- Joshua Smith

Fort Collins, CO

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 14, 2019, at 6:15 PM, Ben S <ben...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all -

The male Mexican Duck swam close to a female Mallard the whole time I was there; possible pair? Again, I believe this to be a pure Mexican Duck. The tail shows no signs of Mallard hybridization. However, it seeems Mexican Duck X Mallard hybrids are much more common in CO than pure Mexican, so if someone disagrees with the pure Mexican Duck ID I am open to that feedback. Appears to be first Arapahoe county ebird record! Here is the photo I promised: 

<IMG_7683 - Edited (2).jpg>

My ebird checklist has more photos: https://ebird.org/edit/checklist?subID=S51684135

Ben Sampson 

Centennial, CO 

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[Ben S]

Hi all -

Went back around 3 this afternoon. The bird was closer in and more cooperative today. Got lots of photos from just about every angle. Hopefully this will help with the final ID.

  

I have some more photos in my ebird checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S51717453

Ben Sampson, 

Centennial, CO 

[Scott Somershoe]

All,

Sorry for not posting sooner. Birding happened today. 

Anyway, this bird on first blush looks like a Mottled Duck to a bunch of us. However the broad white line on the leading edge and trailing edge of the speculum eliminates Mottled. It also doesn’t totally match Mexican duck (not that I’ve seen one to my knowledge).  I managed to study the bird for a while this morning and Ben’s photos are great! Way better than mine. I did see a couple random green feathers at the base of the tail as well. Weird. 

According to waterfowl guru Steve Mlodinow, he thinks it may be a mottled x Mexican hybrid. I’ll leave a final decision to those smarter than me! Really interesting bird regardless. As I say, there’s always more to learn.

Scott Somershoe 

Littleton CO

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 15, 2019, at 4:30 PM, Ben S <ben...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all -

Went back around 3 this afternoon. The bird was closer in and more cooperative today. Got lots of photos from just about every angle. Hopefully this will help with the final ID.

<IMG_7759 - Edited.jpg>  

<IMG_7743 - Edited.jpg>

<Screenshot 2019-01-15 at 3.55.53 PM - Edited.png>

<IMG_7804 - Edited.jpg>

I have some more photos in my ebird checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S51717453

Ben Sampson, 

Centennial, CO 

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<IMG_7743 - Edited.jpg>

<Screenshot 2019-01-15 at 3.55.53 PM - Edited.png>

<IMG_7804 - Edited.jpg>

[Gary Brower]

All,

Several questions, then, for those who know about (or consider) these things . . . .

1) Was Mexican Duck made a separate species in the last go-around? I can’t remember.  If so, then it’s Life Bird for me — I’ll head to CCSP tomorrow.

2) If it’s a Mottled Duck, it’s a Life Bird for me — I’ll head to CCSP tomorrow.

3) If it’s a Mottled x Mexican hybrid . . . . how does one “count” that?

Thanks!

Gary Brower

Unincorporated Arapahoe County

(Next door to CCSP)

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[David Tønnessen]

Gary,

You start a hybrid lifelist.

;)

David Tonnessen