How to tell a ridgy didge Mallard from a hybrid

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Mick Atzeni
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How to tell a ridgy didge Mallard from a hybrid

Post by Mick Atzeni »

Mick
...

Regarding your Mallard x Pacific Black Duck query hereunder find Braithwaite & Miller’s 1975 (modified by Gillespie in 1985) hybrid index for these ducks. ‘Individuals with a score of 0-9 will most likely be a Pacific Black Duck and those with scores 25-35, Mallard.’ (HANZAB 1990).



Character: Appearance (Value)



Facial Stripes

Pacific Black Duck: Two clear stripes on a cream background (0-1)

Hybrid: Obscured (2-3)

Mallard: None to thin black eye-stripe in female (4-5)



Anterior Border of Speculum

Pacific Black Duck: No white bar (0-1)

Hybrid: Thin white bar (2 mm) (2-3)

Mallard: Broad white bar (5mm) (4-5)



Posterior Border of Speculum

Pacific Black Duck: Faint white line (0-1)

Hybrid: Thin white bar (2 mm) (2-3)

Mallard: Broad white bar (5mm) (4-5)



Bill

Pacific Black Duck: Slate-grey (0-1)

Hybrid: Grey-yellow (2-3)

Mallard: Yellow-orange (4-5)



Nape

Pacific Black Duck: Cream (0-1)

Hybrid: Creamy-brown (2-3)

Mallard: Dark brown, varying from dark green to purple-green in male (4-5)


Tail

Pacific Black Duck: Slate-grey (0-1)

Hybrid: Grey-brown (2-3)

Mallard: Creamy brown, varying from dark green to purple-green in male (4-5)



Leg

Pacific Black Duck: Grey-brown (0-1)

Hybrid: Grey-yellow (2-3)

Mallard: Yellow-orange (4-5)

Braithwaite, L.W., & B. Miller (1975). Aust. Wildl. Res. 2: 47-61.

Gillespie, G.D. (1985). Auk 102: 459-69

Marchant,S. & P.J.Higgins (Co-ordinators) (1990). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds, Vol.1 Rattites to Ducks, Part B Australian Pelican to Ducks, Oxford University Press Australia.

The above information was kindly supplied by Rod Hobson at my request to help me score the two drake Mallards currently gracing Lake Annand down the road from my place. Having now done so, I believe they both pass the test (26+) and I can now officially claim a local tick as well as a lifer!

Not quite the same feeling as seeing a Grey Falcon at Gowrie Junction in June though.
Michael Atzeni
7 Woden St, Murphys Creek 4352
Mob: 0499 395 485
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