Speckled Teal x White-cheeked Pintail Anas flavirostris x Anas bahamensis

This bird superficially resembles Speckled Teal but differs in a number of respects. Most of the differences could be explained by White-cheeked Pintail being a parent, although it shows one or two unexpected features for that hybrid. Both species are present in the collection. However Joern has expressed some doubt about this ID and found another examples of Speckled Teal x White-cheeked Pintail hybrid which didn't look exactly like this, so another explanation may be needed. One suggestion is Yellow-billed Pintail x Andean Teal, but we are not sure at the moment. The leg colour is perhaps a little paler than would be expected for any combination of these species.

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captive possible Speckled Teal x White-cheeked Pintail hybrid, Blakeney Collection (Norfolk, UK), 24th November 2013

 

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captive possible Speckled Teal x White-cheeked Pintail hybrid, Blakeney Collection (Norfolk, UK), 9th November 2013

 

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escaped possible Speckled Teal x White-cheeked Pintail hybrid, Blakeney Collection (Norfolk, UK), 7th December 2013 - following the devastating floods that covered the collection in several feet of seawater this bird has swum out over the top of the perimiter fence. It remains in the area so will hopefully swim back in before the waters recede or be recaptured