Date: 3/24/26 2:36 pm From: John Riegsecker via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Hybridization in Goldeneyes or Who's Your Daddy
All,
When two species hybridize the species of the male (or female) can be important, for example the difference between a mule and a hinny. I'm curious how much of a difference this makes in birds. Apparently Barrow's Goldeneyes (BAGO) are more aggressive than Common Goldeneyes (COGO), so perhaps the male in the hybrid is more likely to be a Barrow's, but otherwise I would expect either species could be the male. Still, some traits are inherited only from the hen, so the species of the female might result in slightly different looking birds.
For the last three years I have been watching a COGO x BAGO hybrid in Sinclair Inlet along the Port Orchard waterfront. It pretty much follows the description in Sibley with a purple sheen to its head. Three weeks ago I discovered a second hybrid with some interesting differences. You can see the two birds here:
Head. The most obvious differences are in the white cheek patch and the color of their head. It's not just the light -- I have seen the first bird at least 50 times and it always has that purple sheen, in sunshine and in cloudy weather. I have only seen the second bird three times, but its head is always green. Not sure I can tell a lot of difference in head shape and bill.
Flank. The first bird shows more of a BAGO like spur than the second bird.
Wings. The second bird (see flight photo) shows a more COGO-like white wing patch, whereas the first bird has a more BAGO-like white wing patch with a black line running through the middle.
