I sent the following reply from the server at 8:56 a.m. yesterday. It still does not show. So I am trying again. Apologies if it now comes through twice.
How to reply to this one?
The answer is clearly no. It is not normal for a Northern Shoveler to
even be in Australia to have access to a Grey Teal. I don't know about
that species but male ducks have a tendency to being randy. Hybrids
generally occur when one individual is isolated and does not have access
to a proper partner. As in this case. To that extent this mistake is
sort of normal (or what can happen when things are wrong). I recall
being informed (there may well be new information since then) that male
ducks don't instinctively recognise females of their species but get
imprinted on what would normally be their mother and chose something
similar. Female ducks do instinctively recognise males of their species
and thus females would tend to regulate correct matings. Even so rapes
do occur. This would be such a case. What I find curious is why this
Northern Shoveler chose a Grey Teal, rather than a far more suitable (I
would have thought) Australasian Shoveler. Let's say it is confused. I
also wonder whether the Grey Teal was a male or female and whether it
simply failed to escape.
Philip
From: Catman Burgess [
Sent: Sunday, 26 July, 2020 6:36 PM
To: Rodney & Deborah Ralph;
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Northern Shoveler mating with a Grey Teal
Is that normal for those two mate?
From: Rodney & Deborah Ralph <>
Sent: Saturday, 25 July 2020 1:42 PM
To: <>
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Northern Shoveler mating with a Grey Teal
Seen at Jerrabomberra Wetlands on 24 July 2020 the male Northern Shoveler
mating with a Grey Teal.
Photos taken from my movie.
Cheers,
Deb Ralph
