[EBB Sightings] Strange Duck at Lake Merritt, Oakland

Thanks all for the discussion on the 'Strange Duck' at Lake Merritt.

Checking the order of the AOU checklist, I find that although goldeneyes and 
hooded merganser are not in the same genus, they are closely related 
species.  Perhaps closer than formerly believed.

The hooded merganser is in a different genus, and looks very different,  
from the other 4 merganser species.  This fact could mean that it is not 
related to the others, or that it is the transition form from goldeneye to 
merganser.  See, I can speculate also.

Travis Hails