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Shot this duck Saturday morning in Southeast Louisiana. Definitely has the head of a Gadwall. Not sure after that though. I was thinking maybe mixed with a Widgeon or Pintail ? Let me know what you all think. Thanks.

gadwall x spoonie

tobydawg wrote:gadwall x spoonie

Could be. Unfortunately a spoonie/gadwall hybrid is not the most glamorous hybrid to shoot and mount. Cool none the less.

I've seen a couple Gadwall x Shoveler hybrids, including one my Dad shot. That isn't one. Judging by all the white in the primaries (no wild waterfowl have white primaries in their normal plumage), I'd say it's a color mutation akin to piebald in mammals.

arduckslayer wrote:I've seen a couple Gadwall x Shoveler hybrids, including one my Dad shot. That isn't one. Judging by all the white in the primaries (no wild waterfowl have white primaries in their normal plumage), I'd say it's a color mutation akin to piebald in mammals.

The bill definitely has a spoon bill characteristic though.

Looks like he has a little hoolywood in him.

Hollywood gaddy

He actually doesn't have a spoonie bill at all. It looks like it in the picture but it's a normal gadwall bill.

A gadwall who's father was a pintail spoon hybrid

The body shape and structure mixed with the white blotch on the neck led to my boot lip hybrid opinion. The browns and tan colors look some what similar to a gaddy.

spoon-lippy in da wood pile!

Now you know why they always be smilin'

Alex wrote:He actually doesn't have a spoonie bill at all. It looks like it in the picture but it's a normal gadwall bill.

Thanks for the clarification on the bill. This further points to no hybridization, but a color mutated gadwall.

It's a damned fine bird regardless, and bet you want kill another like it anytime soon. What kind of habitat was it taken in and was it alone or with other?

What color is the wing patch (speculum)?

Mount it. You will be lucky to kill another.