Aythya collaris x affinis
Status: Rare casual spring migrant.
Record: There are six records.
10 Mar 2022 Lake Ogallala, Keith Co (Mlodinow, eBird.org)
13-14 Mar 2023 North Platte, Lincoln Co (Manning, eBird.org)
21 Mar 2023 Lake McConaughy, Keith Co (Mlodinow, eBird.org)
1 Apr 2021 Gavin’s Point Dam in Knox Co (Strand, eBird.org)
7-26 Apr 2023 Scottsbluff WTP, Scotts Bluff Co (Mlodinow, eBird.org)
4-16 May 2022 Scottsbluff WTP, Scotts Bluff Co (Mlodinow, eBird.org)
Comments: Ring-necked Duck hybridizes with several species of Aythya (Roy et al 2020). There are numerous records shown in eBird (eBird.org, accessed Jun 2021), but the Nebraska record is the first on the Great Plains north of Texas.
An intriguing report was of an apparent hybrid at Offutt Base Lake, Sarpy Co 30 Mar 2018; its identification was uncertain, but it was likely a mix of Ring-necked Duck and Lesser Scaup, or, based on its contrasting black and white appearance, Tufted Duck and Lesser Scaup, although the bird did have a pale area on its bill suggestive of Ring-necked Duck.
Images
Literature Cited
Roy, C.L., C.M. Herwig, W.L. Hohman, and R.T. Eberhardt. 2020. Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.rinduc.01.
Recommended Citation
Silcock, W.R., and J.G. Jorgensen. 2023. Ring-necked Duck x Lesser Scaup (hybrid) (Aythya collaris x affinis). In Birds of Nebraska — Online. www.BirdsofNebraska.org
Updated 5 Jul 2023