67 An Apparent Common x Barrow's Goldeneye Hybrid from the St. Lawrence River by Paul R. Martin and Bruce M. Di Labio

Hybridization has been frequently while flying. Throughout the documented in the family Anatidae, observation period, this goldeneye particularly in the subfamily Anatinae swam amongst a mixed raft of over (Gray 1958; Johnsgard 1965, 19(8). 300 Common Mergansers IMergus Not only has interbreeding between merganser) and 25 Common species of the same genus occurred, Goldeneyes, thus offering direct but also between different genera and comparison with adult male Common even different tribes (Gray 1958; Goldeneyes. Johnsgard 1968). Despite their close Description relations, however, hybrids between the Common Goldeneye (Bucephala At first glance, this bird appeared to clangula) and the Barrow's Goldeneye be a dark Common Goldeneye drake. IE. islandica) have been rarely It was approximately the same size, documented. There are two previous or slightly larger, than the male reports fOf" Ontario of hybrid Common Goldeneyes swimming goldeneyes: a male Ispecimen in the nearby. The eye colour was typical of Royal Ontario Museum) from the both goldeneye species - bright Niagara Gorge IBeardslee and yellow with a small black pupil. Mitchell 1965); and a sight record of Upon closer examination, however, a possible male in Peterborough several characteristics lhead shape, County ISadler 1983). This paper facial and scapular patterns) were documents an additional sight record noted which were intermediate of an apparent Common x Barrow's between the two goldeneye species Goldeneye hybrid which represents, Isee Figure 1). to our knowledge, one of very few in The head shape was similar to eastern North America. the "triangle" shape of the Common On 27 November 1988, we Goldeneye ICramp and Simmons observed an apparent hybrid adult 1977), but not as pronounced. The male goldeneye at the Moses­ forehead rose from the base of the Saunders Power Dam, both on the bill at.an angle intermediate between Canadian and American sides of the those of the Common and Barrow's St. Lawrence River near Cornwall, goldeneyes. Sloping gradually back Stormont County, Ontario. The bird from the crown, the head feathers was observed from approximately just above the nape projected towards 1030 h to 1045 h, both in overcast the back. This projection was similar conditions and in direct sunlight, to, but shorter, than that found on through two telescopes lhighest adult male Barrow's Goldeneyes. power 25X) and binoculars. It was The head was dark and showed observed swimming from a distance no iridescence, although nearby of about 150 m, and as close as 30 m Common Goldeneye drakes clearly

VOLUME 9 NUMBER 3 68

showed green iridescence in the Goldeneyes. strong sunlight. The white crescents The tail was black and noticeably on the hybrid goldeneye's face were longer than those of nearby drake widest at the base, tapering slightly Common Goldeneyes. Average tail near the top. They were more lengths in Palmer 11976) show the elongated than those of the Common tails of drake Barrow's Goldeneyes to Goldeneye, curving slightly closer to be shorter than those of drake the eye. The crescents were rounded Common Goldeneyes Iwith overlapl, at the top, extending barely beyond a making the tail length of the hybrid line from the top of the upper goldeneye seem somewhat odd. mandible to the eye. The bill was dark lperhaps Behaviour blackl, and slightly stubbier than the The apparent hybrid goldeneye was bills of nearby Common Goldeneyes. observed preening, swimming, resting The black-and-white pattern on and displaying, but never diving or the scapulars was similar to that of feeding. When the entire flock of drake Barrow's Goldeneye, except ducks was flushed by passersby, this that there was more white present goldeneye flew with a female and the white areas were separated Common Goldeneye. Otherwise, it by thin black lines nearly identical to was never observed to associate with those found on the scapulars of adult any particular duck or ducks, but Common Goldeneye drakes. Between rather swam randomly through the the white breast and sides, anterior to flock. the bend of the wing/ there was a The most interesting behaviour of black "spur" that extended forward this bird was what appeared to be a and down. This "spur" was about courtship display directed at no half the size of the "spur" typical of particular bird and with no female adult male Barrow's Goldeneyes. The Common Goldeneyes nearby. The flanks were whiter extending back to display was observed three times about the end of the patterning on with a gap of at least several seconds the scapulars. Here the sides were between each display. In the display, black beginning from the waterline the goldeneye extended its head diagonally backward to where the upward and backward so that its bill wings rested, through to the undertail was perpendicular to the water while coverts. the back of its head touched its back. The wings appeared black at rest, The bird then threw its head directly but showed a white pattern in flight. upward into the air until its neck was The white patterns on the upperwing fully extended. The bill remained coverts were like those of an adult perpendicular to the water and was male Common Goldeneye, except for kept open. The bird's bill movements a thin black line extending half way suggested calling - perhaps constantly across from the outerwing that while performing the courtship, separated the white areas in the although no vocalizations were heard. median and greater upperwing This "head-throw/ movement coverts. This separation is more usually occurred two times per pronounced in adult male Barrow's display. Between displays, the hybrid

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Figure 1: Presumed Common x Barrow's Goldeneye Hybrid. Drawing based on field sketches and notes made on 27 November 1988 by the authors. goldeneye looked alert, moving about Acknowledgements restlessly with its neck fully extended The authors would like to thank Ross and head held high. The tail was held Harris, Michel Gosselin, and Melisa up at an angle of approximately 40 Kamibayashi for their valued degrees to the water during the assistance and constructive display and for most of the period of comments. observation. This display was almost identical to the "fast head-throw-kick" display Literature cited of the Common Goldeneye as Beardslee, C.S. and H.D. Mitchell 1965. Birds described by Townsend (Bent 19251, of the Niagara Frontier Region. Bulletin of the ]ohnsgard (1965) and Palmer (1976). Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences 22: 1-478. The Barrow's Goldeneye has a similar Bent, A.C. 1925. Life histories of North display, which differs in that the Ameri9an wild fowl. Order Anseres (Part). head is brought back into an upright Smithsonian Institution, United States National Museum Bulletin 130. position after touching the back (Bent 1925; ]ohnsgard 1965; Palmer 1976). Cramp, S. and K. E. L. Simmons (eds. J 1977. Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle The Common Goldeneye, on the East, and North Africa: the birds of the other hand, often thrusts its head Western Palearctic. Volume 1. Ostrich ­ straight upward, as seen in the hybrid Ducks. Oxford: Oxford University Press. goldeneye's display (Bent 1925; ]ohnsgard 1965; Palmer 1976).

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Gray, A.P., 1958. Bird hybrids. A check-list Palmer, R. fed.} 1976. Handbook of North with bibliography. Technical Communication American birds. Volume 3. London & New No. 13 of the Commonwealth Bureau of Haven: Yale University Press. Animal Breeding and Genetics, Edenborough, Sadler, D. 1983. Our Heritage of Birds: England. Peterborough County in the Kawarthas. Johnsgard, P.A. 1965. Handbook of waterfowl Orchid Press, Peterborough. behaviour. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press. Johnsgard, P.A. 1968. Waterfowl: their biology and natural history. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press.

Paul R. Martin, 25 Beechmont Cres., Gloucester, Ontario K1B 4A7 Bruce M. Di Labio, 62 Grange Ave., Ottawa, Ontario K1Y ON9

In Memoriam: Bill Hutchison (1932-1991) by Doug McRae

On 5 November 1991, Bill Hutchison throated Warbler came to his feeder passed away. Bill wasn't widely (see Ontario Birds 1: 13). known in the birding community, but Bill was also active in many for anyone who travelled to community events and organizations. Moosonee, he will be remembered as One endeavour in which Bill was having the best bird feeder in town. involved in 1991 was the And for those of us who had a chance development of the position of to get to know this interesting man, ''Town Naturalist" for Moosonee. Bill will also be remembered as a The creation of this interpretive post tremendous host and friend to is just one indication of Bill's unique visiting naturalists.. talents and abilities that will be so Bill's feeder had many rarities sorely missed by those of us who had over the years, but was also the the privilege of knowing him. mainstay for the small populations of Needless to say, our warm wishes are House Sparrows and Starlings in extended to Bill's family and friends. Moosonee. In 1982, a Yellow-

Doug McRae, Box 130, St. Williams, Ontario NOE 1PO

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1991