Hi All,
I'd like to add my 2 cents worth to this discussion. Dr Patrick Guay from
Vic Uni has looked at hybridisation between native ducks and Mallard types
and is much better placed to add to this discussion than I am so i have
cc'ed him into this.
An interesting topic indeed.
*Yours in all things* "*GREEN"*
*John Harris BASc, GDipEd*
*Croydon, Vic*
* Director - Wildlife Experiences Pty LtdPrincipal Ecologist/Zoologist*
*Nature Photographer*
*Wildlife Guide*
<>*
*0409090955*
*President, Field Naturalists Club of Victoria*
*(www.fncv.org.au <http://www.fncv.org.au/>)*
On 4 July 2014 12:30, Mike Carter <> wrote:
> A rather late entry to this debate. I have no doubt that Russell's bird
> was of feral origin, a hybrid farm-yard type duck.
>
> But the increasing occurrence of bright orange feet in otherwise 'perfect'
> Pacific Black Ducks south-east of Melbourne is surprising, difficult to
> explain and perhaps of some concern. Not so long ago I would count an
> orange-footed bird as a Shoveler but can no longer rely on that as an ID
> feature as more Black Ducks now show it. Surprising because Pacific Black
> Ducks are abundant, Mallard are extremely rare and the larger free flying
> farm-yard ducks very uncommon. As an illustration I took the attached shot
> showing Black Duck with orange feet on one of our recent surveys on a
> wetland SE of Melbourne. I realise that some individuals have brighter feet
> than others but it seems to me that the brightness and frequency of orange
> feet in Black Ducks is increasing.
>
> Mike Carter
> 30 Canadian Bay Road
> Mount Eliza VIC 3930
> Tel (03) 9787 7136
>
>
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