ML349167941

Age and sex

Immature Male - 1

Behaviors

Flying

Media notes

Possible hybrid Common x Spectacled Eider

Observation details

Herein I report two birds that appear to have intermediate traits between Common and Spectacled Eider, a hybrid combo unfamiliar to me. Noticed following observation from later study of photographs. 1. Adult male Eider similar in size to Common Eider, observed swimming with Common Eiders, differing from common eider in head morphology only. Black in crown limited to cap. White forehead extending onto bill giving the orange bill a short appearance as in Spectacled Eider. Large green patch over eye creating the appearance of a green spectacle. Shape (but not color) of eye patch similar to Spectacled Eider. Head shape more rounded than Common Eider giving the head a smaller appearance than Common Eider. 2. First summer male Eider larger than accompanying King Eiders but smaller than accompanying Common Eider female, observed in flight. Black belly. Brownish wings and tail with white scapulars forming two white stripes over back. Brownish head with pale patch on lower face resembling the pale spectacle of Spectacled Eider but with lower placement on head. Long yellowish bill and wedge-shaped head more typical of Common Eider. See also candidate hybrid from same vicinity on June 3, 2021.

Technical information

Model

Canon PowerShot SX70 HS

Lens

3.8-247mm

ISO

100

Focal length

247 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/8.0

Shutter speed

1/1000 sec

Dimensions

1247 pixels x 935 pixels

Original file size

373.47 KB