[obol] Wigeons of Unusual Ancestry

[Russ Namitz]

I agree with Dave on the transitional molt idea.

Since before Holly & Steve posted their birds, I have been trying to post my 
photos of the Eurasian Wigeon I reported on the fall NAMC, but the photo 
section of the Surfbirds website has not been working for me all week.

This bird had rich brown-rufous sides and head.  Gray was starting to come 
in on the flanks and scapulars.  The creamy forehead stripe was very small, 
just a patch actually.  The bird stayed far enough away that other, more 
subtle fieldmarks (like bill base & head shape) were not discerned.

For those interested in sexing & aging wigeon, here is the link to an 
article in Birding (Vol 37, No 2).

http://www.americanbirding.org/pubs/birding/archives/vol37no2p156to164.pdf

Good birding,
Russ Namitz
Coos Bay