Hybrid ducks are famously difficult to identify, typically they exhibit intermediate characteristics from both parent species, but can show patterns resembling a third species or even some patterns and colorations existing in no true duck species anywhere in the world.
However, this hybrid bird exhibits both partners, with its striking green nape and head pattern from its Baikal parentage and its lack of black head, its black eye tear shape replaced by a rusty brown and its spotty pinkish breast from Eurasian teal parent.
The bird was associating with a small flock of mallard and was never far away from them, even when the mallard moved out of the water and up onto the grassy bank to feed the small teal followed. And when it stood out of the water to rest and sleep it was always close to some loafing mallard.
Whatever the identity and origins the birds parents is, it was still such a great bird to catch up with.
Special thanks to Tom bell, a local lad and West Ham fan who was there to show me the bird and some of the cracking images he took earlier in the morning. Top work mate.
