For about five years a domestic drake of Khaki Campbell type lived
on a local billabong among Black Ducks. It certainly tried to court
Black Ducks, but I never saw any hybrid offspring. Perhaps this variety
is a bit handicapped - I am told it is derived from the Indian Runner
breed which are great layers but very poor sitters. This would seem a
disadvantage in a feral situation.
Locally very large white domestic ducks are seen in small numbers on
ponds etc. No offspring - I believe they are sterile mule duck- a cross
between the South American Muscovy Duck and Domestic Mallards. Muscovy
Ducks can be glossy black, pied or white - adults have red wattles on
their faces. Neighbours kept a large black Muscovy Drake which often
followed us round the garden for snails. This led to an enquiry from
the (then) Dept. of Conservation, who had been told we were illegally
keeping a pet Black Swan.
At Darebin Parklands I photographed a bird which was either a
domestic/Black Duck hybrid or a very leucistic Black Duck. Very pale
with normal-type face stripes in brown - its picture maybe found on
<birdlifephotography.org.au> under Pacific Black Duck. I have also seen
some very piebald Chestnut Teal there. The ranger tells me it is almost
impossible to remove Mallards and domestics without public outcry.
Anthea Fleming
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