[obol] Re: Goldeneye ID?
- From: Wayne Hoffman <whoffman@xxxxxxxx>
- To: David Irons <llsdirons@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 17 Dec 2013 09:08:25 -0800
Hi Dave -
I did see the hybrid goldeneye you found at Newport in 2009, multiple times
that winter, and took many photos. I did also see and photograph an adult
male hybrid multiple times the next winter (2010-11). I am not sure that
this was the same bird, however, as it differed a bit in the shape of the
white patch and in details of the amount and location of the white on the
back. If it was the same bird, it would have undergone complete feather
replacement, and I just do not know how much those kinds of feather details
are likely to change from year to year. If you want I can send you some
photos.
One interesting thing about this (or these) bird(s) is that the iridescence
on the head was not the green of Common, nor the blue of Barrow's, but
instead was a sort of mahogany/magenta shade. It is my understanding that
this has been seen elsewhere in this hybrid combination.
Wayne
On Tue, Dec 17, 2013 at 12:14 AM, David Irons <llsdirons@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> Clay,
>
> From the context of your commentary during this video clip, it is clear
> that the bird in question is either the young male or the female that is
> with it after you pan to the right off of the single female Common
> Goldeneye. Which of these two birds do you have questions about?
>
> To my eye, the male is a hatch-year bird with a fairly well-developed
> white facial spot. The gray on the back and flanks, along with the fact
> that I can't see a yellow eye indicate the age. I don't see anything on
> that bird that is suggestive of a hybrid. The female in the foreground is
> somewhat interesting, as the head shape seems Barrow'sish at certain angles
> and the bill seems perhaps a bit shorter and steeper than what is typical
> for Common Goldeneye. However, the total absence of yellow on the bill and
> the apparent head shape and bill length/shape when it is closer to a
> perfect profile angle seems fine for Common. I think the bird only suggests
> Barrow's when the head is turned towards the camera, which makes the
> forehead look steeper and the bill shorter and steeper.
>
> The one clear-cut adult male Barrow's Goldeneye X Common Goldeneye that
> I've seen in life (it spent at least two winters at Newport) had a facial
> spot that was very rounded and oval and looked much like what you see on a
> pure Common. I've seen other photos of hybrids where the facial spot was
> slightly more crescent shaped. The easiest way to pick out an adult male
> hybird is the pattern of black on the upper back and upper flanks. The
> amount of black on the back and upper flanks is more extensive than in a
> pure Common and not as extensive as a pure adult male Barrows. I think that
> IDing either a female (any age) or young male hybrid would be a tall order.
>
> Image #19 in the gallery at the link below is the hybrid adult male that
> wintered at Newport for a couple of years. Jon Dunn found this bird while
> birding with Shawneen Finnegan and me in late November of 2009. As I recall
> Wayne Hoffman watched it throughout that winter and refound it again the
> following winter.
>
>
> http://www.birdfellow.com/birds/common-goldeneye-bucephala-clangula#/idPhotos
>
> Dave Irons
> Portland, OR
> ------------------------------
> Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2013 20:03:47 -0800
> Subject: [obol] Goldeneye ID?
> From: ruffledgrouch@xxxxxxxxx
> To: obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
> I hope that this is a link to some Goldeneye pictures that I have posted
> to the OBOL Flickr account.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/95295128@N03/11413218066/
>
> I am agonizing over the pedigree of one of the three Goldeneyes. What do
> you guys think. The 'H' word has been considered.
>
> --
>
>
>
> *Happy birdingCLAY Closed yahoo account and encourage you to not use
> yahoo. Please note my new email address*
>
>
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