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The mallard has hybridised with more than 40 species in the wild, and an additional 20 species in captivity, [13] though fertile hybrids typically have two Anas parents. [14] Mallards and their domestic conspecifics are fully interfertile; many wild mallard populations in North America contain significant amounts of domestic mallard DNA. [15] [16]
Usually, the bird hybrid shows intermediate characteristics between the two species. A "successful" hybrid is one demonstrated to produce fertile offspring. According to the most recent estimates, about 16% of all wild bird species have been known to hybridize with one another; this number increases to 22% when captive hybrids are taken into ...
Brewer's duck, hybrid of the mallard and gadwall. Genus Anas. In Australia, New Zealand and other areas where the Pacific black duck occurs, it is hybridised by the much more aggressive introduced mallard. This is a concern to wildlife authorities throughout the affected area, as it is seen as genetic pollution of the black duck gene pool.
Two male mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) Mallards form male-female pairs only until the female lays eggs, at which time the male leaves the female. Mallards have rates of male-male sexual activity that are unusually high for birds, in some cases, as high as 19% of all pairs in a population.
Mallards, both domestic and wild in particular are notorious hybridizers, know to frequently hybridize within the mallard complex and even outside of Anas. The willingness to hybridize has concerned conservationists as the gene flow from the mallard may pollute pure populations of more vulnerable species such as the Mexican duck. [2]
The mulard (or moulard) is a hybrid between two different genera of domestic duck: the Domestic Muscovy duck (derived from the Muscovy duck Cairina moschata) and the domestic duck (derived from the mallard Anas platyrhynchos). American Pekins and other domestic ducks are most commonly used to breed mulards due to the breed's high meat production.
As with many duck species in the genus Anas, Hawaiian duck and mallards can interbreed and produce viable offspring, and the koloa has previously been considered an island subspecies of the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). [4] However, all major authorities now consider this form to be a distinct species within the mallard complex.
Hybrids between mallard ducks and Aylesbury ducks (a white domestic breed derived from the mallard) are frequently seen in British parks where the two types are present. The hybrids often resemble a dark coloured mallard with a white breast. Mallard ducks also hybridise with the Muscovy duck producing pied offspring.