Is this a Tufted Duck hybrid?

[colincurry]

Took this shot on Saturday at Lackford Lakes and originally had the bird down as a Tufted Duck.

On closer inspection, the deep purple of the head made me wonder if this were a hybrid. I checked the hybrids on page 59 of the Collins Bird Guide and the Tufted Duck Pochard seems a possibilty. Of course, it might just be a trick of the light.

Any views please?

Thanks

Colin

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by colincurry

Took this shot on Saturday at Lackford Lakes and originally had the bird down as a Tufted Duck.

On closer inspection, the deep purple of the head made me wonder if this were a hybrid. I checked the hybrids on page 59 of the Collins Bird Guide and the Tufted Duck Pochard seems a possibilty. Of course, it might just be a trick of the light.

Any views please?

Thanks

Colin

I think that's normal for a male tufted in breeding plumage particularly to have a bit of a purple sheen...

[aeshna5]

I can't see anything about this bird to suggest a hybrid-looks like a regular drake Tuftie to me.

[colincurry]

Thank you - tuftie was my original thought - don't often get this close but thought the question worth asking with my level of ignorance.

Colin

[Hobjob]

Many birds get surprising sheens in bright light - lapwings,
mallards, starling, corvids etc..

I once saw a floick of starlings at sunset that looked
deep red.

But photos always seem disapointing