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Chlidonias

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

24 April 2015

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Chlidonias, 24 Apr 2015
    • Chlidonias
      24 April 2015
    • FBBird
      Mallard

      This Mallard has a lot of Grey Duck in it, from the general colour and bold facial striping
    • Chlidonias
      New Zealand has a very complex population of mallard X grey duck. It is difficult to find pure grey ducks anywhere in the country, and most mallards show varying degrees of hybridisation (and also a lot of domestic genes). Lots of muscovy genes around as well.
    • FBBird
      Mallard...

      Muscovey hybrids will only be F1. They are infertile.
    • Chlidonias
      I did not know that. Mallard X muscovy hybrids are weird birds.
    • FBBird
      Mallard.....

      Although infertile, the female hybrids will lay and incubate. I'm not sure if it's only the cross one way or both that lays. Some that I watched, dived freely for food. Some perch a lot, like Muscovies.
    • Hix
      Grey Duck? Do you mean Anas superciliosus?
    • FBBird
      Mallard.....

      New Zealand Grey Duck
    • Chlidonias
      Australians call them Pacific Black Ducks because they aren't black. Obvious really :p
    • FBBird
      Mallard

      We sometimes call them that too.
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  • Category:
    Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
    Uploaded By:
    Chlidonias
    Date:
    24 Apr 2015
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    Comment Count:
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