Hybrid Dabbling Ducks

During the past week a lot of ducks have been passing through the bay area. At fresh water sites the dabblers have been well represented, although many seem to just stop for a while to refuel before heading further south or to the central valley. Today at the Las Gallinas water treatment ponds (San Rafael, CA) we spotted an unusual Cinnamon Teal along the shore, partly obscured by the cattails.

The shot above shows the typical blue wing patch of the Cinnamon Teal, as well as the dark spatulate bill and orange feet, but the gray-blue ptch above and behind the eye, as well as the  black spots on the breast and flanks seemed to indicate the presence of other dabbling duck DNA. One possible explanation would be a hybrid bird, Cinnamon Teal x Blue-winged Teal, which are said to be common, and I have seen a few internet photos of such a hybrid that resemble this bird.

Above we get a different view of the gray patch on the head, partially outlined by a white white line as we sometimes see on Green-winged Teal, especially on the Eurasian Green-winged. The color of the iris seemed to be a deep brownish red.

Shot above better highlights the similarity of the head strip on the hybrid Cinnamon drake, with that of the male Green-wined Teal sleeping nearby. Similar shot below, with a probable female Cinnamon Teal on the left. I'm favoring Cinnamon Teal x Green-wined Teal as the ID for this bird, but of course that is speculative.

Last week at Corte Madera's "Shorebird Marsh" I spotted a hybrid Northern Pintail, with a pretty buffy patch on his cheek. Distance precluded a sharp shot, but the green iridescence on the side of the head suggested some Green-winged Teal DNA at work. The scapulars and tertials strongly suggested Pintail, as did the bill.

Here's another shot, showing the buffy cheek and bill somewhat better:

And lastly: