Labrador Duck - or not?

I came across this interesting note via Facebook the other day and thought it was worth sharing here:

McCarthy, E. M. 2014. Labrador Duck: Not extinct after all? http://www.macroevolution.net/labrador-duck.html#.UwzxwONdUSb

This short article suggests that what is described as the long extinct Labrador Duck (Camptorhynchus labradorius) is merely the result of a pairing between a Steller's Eider (Polysticta stelleri) and Common Eider (Somateria mollissima). The author's line of evidence for this supposition includes the apparent historical rarity of the species, the discovery that all the eggs supposedly from Labrador Duck on collections were determined to not be from this species through genetic analysis, rather wide plumage variation in the remaining specimens, and the historical descriptions of a number of other hybrids birds that were originally thought to be full species. He notes that the name of the duck is misleading and has a rather tenuous connection with Labrador, a point that I find unrelated to the matter at hand and other examples of name mismatches are rather easily found in the common names of North American birds. It appears that he was trying to make the point that no nests of this species had ever been found, in Labrador or anywhere else.The author then states that the suggested parent species of the Labrador Duck still hybridize along the Arctic Ocean and the offspring look similar to the Labrador Duck. I assume that there are no photos of these hybrids, since the source cited for these records is the author of this note and no photos were provided here.

I was intrigued by this theory, but less enamored with the argument put forth in support of the theory. I find it hard to believe that the Labrador Duck should disappear in the late 1800's when the purported parent species are still rather common and it would be logical to suspect that those hybrids that led to this mistaken designation as a species would continue to be produced. Although he did mention that there are hybrids of these two species that look "similar" to Labrador Ducks, I would expect that at least some of them would look the same? Two of the examples of hybrids once thought to be full species and noted in the text include the Lawrence's Warbler and Brewer's Duck. Both of these hybrids are the result of pairings of rather common species (Gadwall x Mallard and Golden-winged x Blue-winged Warbers). These hybrids, although not common, can still be found today on a regular basis. A quick Google search revealed a number of photos of both species, but no photos of a Steller's and Common Eider hybrid (or a  Labrador Duck).

The best part about the theory that the Labrador Duck is merely a the result of an errant mating between to different eider species is that it can be tested. I look forward to further examinations of the genetic make-up of the remaining Labrador Duck specimens to assess it's status as a bird that may not have quite gone extinct after all.

Labrador Duck by J.G. Keulemans from Rowley's Ornithological Miscellany Vol II

PS. One statement in the text notes that Labrador Ducks were supposed to have a "bad, fishy, sea-duck flavor." The Ornithological Miscellany reference noted above contains quite a few references that note the flesh of the Labrador Duck was quite tasty.

Mule Deer?

I found this guy today while I was out and about. When I first found him I thought that it was a rather large Mule Deer buck, but after I got to look at him a bit, it appeared that his antlers are not at all your typical Mule Deer configuration. He sure looks like he has some White-tailed Deer genes in his background.

Frost Flowers

This morning I found flowers blooming in the early parts of February while I was on my walk along the river.

Winter Escape

Last weekend I finally found some time to venture out north of town. The time out away from the confines of the city was therapeutic after another long week of meetings, conference calls and various assorted work related chores. I traversed a familiar route through pine covered hills and across large expanses of agricultural fields to the end of a large open basin where I was pretty sure I could find a few wintering Rough-legged Hawks. My other motivation was to return to a Waterfowl Management Area where I knew I could let the dogs run and possibly even run into a pheasant or Sharp-tailed Grouse or two.

I did find a few Rough-legged Hawks including one individual who was quite oblivious to me and appeared much more intent on locating his next mean than worrying about the human below him with a camera.

The dog also got their walk and although we were unable to flush any birds, I suspect they were pretty happy just to get out and about too.

2013 Review in Photos - Part 2

Continuation of my year in photos.

July - Back to Fort Peck for the Fourth of July holiday weekend and great weekend with friends at the Red Ants Pants Music Festival in White Sulphur Springs.

August - Pretty slow around here in August. Lots of meetings at work, but one more trip to Fort Peck was in there somewhere.

September - A brief trip to the Slippery Ann area of the CMR Wildlife Refuge to watch the elk rumble and lots of meetings in Helena in September. Fall soccer started for the boys too.

October - I had a fair amount of time to get out with my camera in October since I couldn't go to work. The downside was that some of the places I wanted to go were closed due to the government shutdown too. I spent a lot of time at our local park along the Yellowstone River and enjoying some of the boy's soccer games. Found my last butterfly of the summer this month too.

November - Another month where I didn't get out much, and the new puppy Sage dominated my photos.

December - My December outings have mostly already been posted here, but here are a few more.