[EBB Sightings] Lake Merritt hybrid pictures

Thanks to all for the thoughts about the (probable) goldeneye X merganser 
hybrid.  While I'd love to be able to know what this strange bird's 
parentage is, I suspect we'll never know for sure.

My personal thoughts are that it's Barrow's X Hoodie, but I'm not expert 
and I don't feel strongly about it.  I've assumed Barrow's because of the 
white spots on the wing.  I've assumed hoodie over other mergansers because 
of the dark bill, gray-brown sides, and 2 black lines on the shoulder.  The 
bird's head color could be viewed as an intermediate between a Barrow's 
purplish sheen and the hoodie's black.

Thanks to Travis Hails for what I believe was the first message posted 
about this bird.  I also found it interesting that he mentioned that the 
bird seemed to be associating more with Barrow's.  While I was watching, 
most of the birds were feeding a lot, and there was no obvious grouping by 
type at all.  Perhaps they group by species more when they're resting?

Concerning the genetics question, I have to admit that I assumed the bird 
(if indeed a hybrid) would be infertile, like a mule?

--
Laura