I think there is a bit too much hype regarding possible Pacific Black Duck hybridising with feral Domestic Mallards. Obviously it is a major problem in New Zealand but appears to be a very rare event in Australia. Many years ago while I was working at CSIRO
the late Dr Wayne Braithwaite and (from memory) Dr Ben Miller did a small study on hybridisation between these two species and found little to justify the claim. Things may have changed a bit since then but I think it is still a rare occurrence.
To comment on Con's photo, I suggest that it is an adult (female?) Pacific Black Duck with worn and stained plumage. A pity that the wing speculum can't be seen.
Mark
On 28/11/2019 10:19 am, Con Boekel wrote:
This image was captured at Kelly's on 26 November 2019. It was not until I had a good look at the image on the screen that I noticed what I thought might be an unusual tan colour on the parent bird.
It could be the result of water staining, but adjacent Grey Teal did not have the same colour pattern/staining on their plumage.
I assume that bird recorders may have been popping in Pacific Black Duck + 2 ducklings. But could the parent bird be a hybrid?
regards
Con
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