I've encountered a new situation for me today, my first hybrid! In with some Mallards was one that was almost a perfect match for Sibley's illustration of a Mallard x American Black Duck hybrid.
The Mallard is on my list already. I just started this winter with the birding. The American Black Duck is not on my list yet.
I am pretty sure I am not supposed to count the hybrid as an American Black Duck. But, can I count it as a separate "species" and another addition to my list?
Hi Caty,
Welcome to birdforum. The short answer is that you can count whatever you want on your list - it is after all your own list. However the only time I note hybrids like this for any list is when conducting a Christmas Bird Count. The general approach by most 'serious birders' (whatever that means) is that this wouldn't go on their 'official' state or life list etc etc.
Regards - Luke
So there is no official place on serious lists for hybrids?
I can think of three modes of reasoning for this:
1, it is both a Mallard and an American Black Duck
(This is not my favorite solution it was only one bird)
2, it is not a valid entry on a list
(it is not an AOU species, more like a subspecies type of situation)
3, it gets its own entry
(it is a bird, though not a Mallard or American Black Duck)
Maybe I should just be asking who puts hybrids on their life lists?