Hi Tweeters,
Ducks are one of my weak areas when it comes to bird identification.
My neighbors have a nice pond. During Fall & winter a flock of anywhere from 3-25 mallards parade across the street and waddle through my back yard.
Once a northern pintail was among the mallards and today's visit brought a new species or possibly a hybrid.
his head is not round, the bill has a dark or black stripe on top with yellow or tanish stripe on the sides. there are two light brown splotches on his face, brown forehead that blends into mallard green at the back of his head, a very faint white neck ring, rich brown breast, gray/brown body black rump, white and gray tail feathers, orange feet. My first impulse was American Wigeon, (not quite in breading plumage) then the possibility that it is a mallard hybrid occurred to me.
Do hybrids count on yard lists?
any help will be very welcome. Thanks in advance.
I'm sorry, I'm technology challenged and have never been able to figure out how to share my photos with any of those photo sharing programs. If you want to take a look contact me off list and I can e-mail you a picture.

Linda Phillips
linda_phillips1252 at msn.com<mailto:linda_phillips1252 at msn.com>
Kenmore, 98028-2616