[Tweeters] Bufflehead x Common Goldeneye Hybrid

[John Riegsecker via Tweeters]

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:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382676823_Bufflehead_x_Common_Goldeneye_Hybrid_Winters_for_over_a_Decade_in_the_Sacramento_Region_California

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.

Potlatch State Park
Sun  6 March 2022 https://ebird.org/checklist/S104329185
Wed 29 March 2023 https://ebird.org/checklist/S132170329

Herron Island Ferry Landing
Fri 22 March 2024 https://ebird.org/checklist/S165642650
Fri 14 March 2025 https://ebird.org/checklist/S218487269

-- 
John Riegsecker
Gig Harbor