Goldeneye x Merganser hybrid

[Jim Buescher]

I've seen various duck hybrids before but this is the first I've seen of a Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser. Is this common among these two species? I photographed it along the shore of Lake Erie

[Declan Troy]

Common would be stretching it but this hybrid cross pops up with some regularity. Most are not documented so nicely, quite a lovely shot.

Must be cold in Ohio. The ice is sprouting feathers!

[Jim Buescher]

Thanks Declan. It was quite warm today ('bout time!), mid 40's, but the lake is still ice covered. The hundreds, sometimes thousands of gulls do leave a mess behind on the ice making for a less than ideal BG.:(