Crozet, VA 4/4/2020

All photos are © Marshall Faintich

I only had time for a short hike late this morning here in Old Trail, but still managed to log 21 avian species. There were four ducks in the pond along Old Trail Drive. Two of them were a male and a female Bufflehead, and the other pair were a male Ring-necked Duck and a female Lesser Scaup. Seeing the latter pair swimming together, I wondered if Ring-necked and Lesser Scaup ducks hybridize, and found that they do. The female Lesser Scaup has brown sides instead of gray brown found on Lesser Scaup, and its brown breast appears to be somewhat lighter than its head, suggesting female Ring-necked as well. I'm not sure if this female duck is a hybrid, but would appreciate opinions. And if they are a pair, then their off-spring would surely be hybrid.

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Buffleheads, Ring-necked Duck, and Lesser Scaup

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Ring-necked Duck and Lesser Scaup

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Ring-necked Duck and Lesser Scaup

There were two red-shouldered Hawks at Western Park, as well as a mix of sparrows and other avian species.

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Red-shouldered Hawk

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Red-shouldered Hawk

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Red-shouldered Hawk

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American Goldfinch

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Swamp Sparrow

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Carolina Wren


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