Birders, Ben Fritchman's post earlier today questioning the identification of the Eurasian Wigeon is completely acceptable, particularly because this is a species that is known to hybridize with American Wigeon and because such hybrids have been seen in Minnesota in past years. Yes, Ben was not there, and thus he does not have first hand experience with this individual, but he was simply trying to create a constructive discussion on the bird's identity.
As far as I can tell, many birders have already gone to see the bird, and thus the correct response to such an inquiry as Ben's would be something like the following: "I saw the bird, and the dark stripe behind the eye in the photo is most likely due to poor lighting because in good light the face appeared uniform orange-red in color." Or, "I did see a dark area behind the eye in good lighting, suggesting the bird is a hybrid." YOU were in the field, so tell us what YOU saw if such an inquiry arises. And, as Ben correctly stated, it is up to MOURC to decide the identity of all casual and accidental species. As a casual species, then, this bird will accordingly go before the committee, regardless of any discussions on MOU-net. If you saw the bird, and think it is a pure Eurasian Wigeon, then please document it as such to the best of your ability so that MOURC has evidence with which to work to support your identification. Bob Dunlap, Nicollet County
