I just got back from Como Lake in St. Paul (Ramsey County), where I found what I am virtually certain is a GREATER SCAUP X RING-NECKED DUCK hybrid, on the north end of the lake with four Lesser Scaup. When I left at 5:35 pm, the bird was just north of the band shell and a little ways out. I did not have my camera with me, but two other birders were able to get some doc shots. I will not be able to return there with my camera until Wed.
The bird was slightly bigger than the surrounding Lesser Scaup (4), with a noticeably thicker head looking straight on (bulging cheeks), clean white sides that curved up near the back like those of a Ring-necked Duck, no white spur (or barely noticeable), and bright green iridescence on its head. The head shape was exactly that of a Ring-necked Duck, but larger. The bill showed a faint light ring around the base and near the tip, much duller than that of a pure Ring-necked, but also very noticeable and in exactly the same pattern as a Ring-necked. I studied the bird at a number of angles from a pretty close distance. I just received an update from David Adair, who said that the hybrid and Lesser Scaup flew to the south end of the lake as he was leaving. Hopefully there will be images soon. Peter Nichols Cottage Grove Washington County ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
