Thanks for putting up this link. Thankfully where I live the parks are full of Pacific Black Ducks and Wood Ducks, haven't seen any introduced species yet. Although there was a big fat white one two years ago, people loved it and got upset when it suddenly disappeared just before Christmas.One person didn't like it much when I declared: someone must have had a nice dinner.
Mallards are capable of crossing with a wide range of duck species, usually with fertile results.
I believe the New Zealand Grey Duck (their subspecies of the Pacific Black Duck) is now all but exinct in its pure form through hybridisation with Mallards, the hybrids now being abundant.
The NZ experience could well be repeated in Australia, I've seen a few Pacific Black x Mallard hybrids about around Melbourne. Of particular concern is that the Mallard, being native to parts of the Northern Hemisphere with permanent water bodies, does not possess the nomadic instincts present in the Pacific Black Duck. The native bird has evolved to cope with drought and drying up of waterways, so these traits could eventually be lost through hybridisation effectively leaving the population as 'sitting ducks' during a drought.
Very shiny coat he has there. :)
Nice pics. They breed with Pacific Black Ducks.
Which means the genetic integrity of the Pacific Black Duck is being degraded by this fine looking feral species.
Any photos of cross breeds?
M-L
They are a nice looking bird but very damaging to the environment. Araminta there are photos available on google images.
I know in New Zealand the Pacific Black Duck species there has really declined in numbers due to interbreeding and competition with the mallard.
Why this little black duck may be no more - http://www.theage.com.au/national/why-this-little-black-duck-may-be-no-more-20100706-zz1s.html#ixzz3BfQpGO1u
Thanks for putting up this link. Thankfully where I live the parks are full of Pacific Black Ducks and Wood Ducks, haven't seen any introduced species yet. Although there was a big fat white one two years ago, people loved it and got upset when it suddenly disappeared just before Christmas.One person didn't like it much when I declared: someone must have had a nice dinner.
Thanks BBwatcher, I will have a look.
M-L
Mallards are capable of crossing with a wide range of duck species, usually with fertile results.
I believe the New Zealand Grey Duck (their subspecies of the Pacific Black Duck) is now all but exinct in its pure form through hybridisation with Mallards, the hybrids now being abundant.
The NZ experience could well be repeated in Australia, I've seen a few Pacific Black x Mallard hybrids about around Melbourne. Of particular concern is that the Mallard, being native to parts of the Northern Hemisphere with permanent water bodies, does not possess the nomadic instincts present in the Pacific Black Duck. The native bird has evolved to cope with drought and drying up of waterways, so these traits could eventually be lost through hybridisation effectively leaving the population as 'sitting ducks' during a drought.
An interesting analysis, zoster ops, showing yet again that we import feral birds at great peril to our native species.