Mallard Hybrid Duck at the Bluffs: November 11, 2020

Mallards frequently interbreed with the Black Duck, the Pintail and domesticated species, leading to various hybrids. Mallard drakes clearly go after other ducks without courtship.

We saw one of these this morning; a “bib” duck which shows features of the Black Duck and the Mallard.

“Bib” Duck with Mallard (female)
“Bib” Duck
“Bib” Duck with Mallard (female)
hybrid “bib” duck

Here is a Mallard / Pintail hybrid:

photo: birdnote.org

Other birds:

Trumpeter Swan
Trumpeter Swans
Canada Goose
Canada Goose
Mallard (female)
American Black Ducks
Rock Pigeon
Rock Pigeons
Ring-billed Gull (juvenile)
Ring-billed Gull (juvenile)
Ring-billed Gull
Northern Cardinal (male)
Northern Cardinal (female)
Northern Cardinal (male)
Northern Cardinal (female)
Northern Cardinal (female)
Northern Cardinal (male)
Dark-eyed Junco (male)
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Blue Jay
Fox Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow (juvenile)
White-crowned Sparrow (juvenile)
White-crowned Sparrow (juvenile)

Species list: trumpeter swan, Canada goose, mallard, American black duck, ring-billed gull, herring gull, rock pigeon, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, blue jay, black-capped chickadee, Carolina wren, American robin, house sparrow, northern cardinal, American goldfinch, dark-eyed junco, white-crowned sparrow, fox sparrow.  (19 species)

Park scenes:

Beaver Dam
Red Squirrel
Turtles

Today’s group:

NATURE POETRY

Till I scarcely more than muttered “Other friends have flown before—
On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before.”
Then the bird said “Nevermore.”                                                           – Edgar Allan Poe (1809–49)

Miles Hearn

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