Unknown Quacker Duck

[Firstlight]

Hi,
I photographed this duck this afternoon, at Beesands Ley/Devon/UK.
My first thoughts were that it was a male RC Pochard, as we have a female also on the Ley.On looking at the images and comparing them with various bird books it does not appear to be a RC Pochard but some kind of hybrid, possibly a Tufted/Pochard???
Observing the female RCP, she does shallow short dives and brings up weed to eat at the surface, this male?? also does the same.When it dives it comes out of the water as per Pochard.
Any ideas please.
regards David
see image attached

[Joe stockwell]

either tufted duck x red crested pochard
tufted duck x pochard but what looks like an un-naturaly (captive) bred duck or its just weird

[john robinson]

Certainly is wierd !.
Strange that the hybrid characteristics (if it is one ) have only manifested in the head region.
Got me beat.
JohnR

[Josh Jones]

It's a hybrid Tufted Duck x Red-crested Pochard. Wouldn't say it was necessarily an escape though.

Looks quite Tufted like but note the rufous on the crown/head (obviously), and also the pinkish-red tones in the bill.

[Firstlight]

Thanks Guys,
Yes it is a strange looking bird, I guess the local female RCPOCHARD has been up to no good with the Tufty boys.
regards David.
ps there are more images of it diving etc if it becomes an issue.

[marklhawkes]

This bird (probably, as this must be a rare hybrid combination) was seen in Cambridgeshire at Grafham Water in early January, see here:

http://www.indybirder.com/grafhamphotos2008.html (bottom photo).

Matthew Berriman also informed us that it had been at Rutland Water prior to that too.

[Firstlight]

Thanks Mark for that info, most interesting and so the mystery deepens. I have included two more images of the hybrid for those who may have an interest in such things.
regards David.

[AndyB]

nice looking bird and with it being in Cambs in Jan, shows how mobile these ducks are.

[Alcedo atthis]

Hi, definitely RC Pochard x Tufted duck-A really rare combination. Great photos btw.

Jörn

[Alex Lees]

Hi, definitely RC Pochard x Tufted duck-A really rare combination. Great photos btw.

Jörn

still present (http://www.freewebs.com/punkbirder/latestsightings.htm)on the Ley last week...

Alex

[forktail]

still present (http://www.freewebs.com/punkbirder/latestsightings.htm)on the Ley last week...

Alex

and a pretty good punk hairdo too, Alex ...

ah, memories...

atb
F.