Date: 3/20/25 2:39 pm From: John Riegsecker via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Bufflehead x Common Goldeneye Hybrid
A Bufflehead x Common Goldeneye hybrid has been reported at Potlatch State Park since 2018. In 2024 another hybrid was reported at Herron Island, about 17.5 miles distant overland. My first question was if this is one or two birds. eBird shows 385 reports in the United States, however many of these are of the same bird. For example the Potlatch bird has been reported 47 times, and there is a bird in California that has been reported even more often. I also came across a paper on the subject:
If these are two distinct birds, then if they are independent events this would be an unusual event. On the other hand, perhaps they are not independent and if you have one bird, the odds are improved to have a second. Reading up on the breeding and nesting habits of both breeds I don't see any reason to suspect they would stick together.
I contacted one of the authors of the paper (who contacted one of his coauthors) and I now have their opinions if this is one or two different birds. Below are links to eBird lists for each bird. If any of you are so inclined, I would like hearing your thoughts. One bird or two? Feel free to reply to me off list and I will report back.
