White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata x Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor hybrid

This bird was among Fulvous Whistling Ducks, although there were White-faced Whistling Ducks in another part of the collection. The pale patch behind the eye was the most immediately obvious feature separating it from the accompanying Fulvous Whistling Ducks. Although this appears to extend further back than it does on White-faced Whistling Duck the transverse barring on the flank feathers and pale subterminal band on the bill indicate that species was involved. Although several species could theoretically have contributed to the overall fulvous colouration and whitish streaks on the flanks, the white uppertail-coverts support the most likely contender, Fulvous Whistling Duck.

captive White-faced Whistling Duck x Fulvous Whistling Duck hybrid, Pensthorpe (Norfolk, UK), 9th March 2014

For comparison, here are photos of the parent species.

White-faced Whistling Duck, Liwonde (Malawi), 27th May 2011 and captive Fulvous Whistling Duck, Blakeney Quayside collection (Norfolk, UK), 26th October 2016

For more photos of these species follow the links below:

• White-faced Whistling Duck
• Fulvous Whistling Duck