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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]
The White Muscovy and the Pekin are the two most common purebred, commercially farmed ducks. Hybrids of the two are hardier and calmer, in addition to exhibiting natural hybrid vigor. [2] The incubation period of the hybrid eggs is between the mallard and Muscovy, with an average of 32 days. About half of the eggs hatch into mulard ducks.
The plumage is darker than in female mallards, especially at the tail, and the bill is yellower. In flight, the lack of a white border to the speculum is a key difference. The American black duck is darker than most mottled ducks, and its wing-patch is more purple than blue. The behaviour and voice are the same as the mallard.
Domestic ducks have lost the mallard's territorial behaviour, and are less aggressive than mallards. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] Despite these differences, domestic ducks frequently mate with wild mallard, producing fully fertile hybrid offspring. [ 9 ]
The mallard was domesticated in China some 3000 years ago, and possibly much earlier. [10]: 121 [11]: 3 [12]: 2 [a] Force-feeding of ducks is documented from the tenth century, under the Five Dynasties.
The 2024 survey produced a statewide estimate of 502,058 breeding ducks, a 4% decline from 2023 but 13% above the long-term (1973 to 2023) average. A graph shows estimates of ducks in the annual ...
Male and female yellow-billed ducks have a statistically significant difference in life spans. Male ducks live for 4 years and 4 months on average while female ducks only live for just over 3 years. As such the difference in survival rate is statistically significant as well. 79% of males survive any given year while only 72% of females do.
On average, domestic rabbits can live to be between 8 and 12 years old, says Blue Cross, a British animal welfare nonprofit. The oldest recorded domestic rabbit lived to be 18 years and 10 months ...