The RARE Hybrid Pochard x Tufted Duck (1 Viewer)

[Ornitomania]

Video ---> The RARE Hybrid Pochard x Tufted Duck

 

[Nutcracker]

Actually, this hybrid is getting depressingly common - the problem being the heavily male-skewed sex ratio in the declining Pochard population. The excess males can't find the right mates and end up going for female Tufties.

 

[Ornitomania]

Actually, this hybrid is getting depressingly common - the problem being the heavily male-skewed sex ratio in the declining Pochard population. The excess males can't find the right mates and end up going for female Tufties.

True, but here in the lakes of Northern Italy you can still see a few all in all

 

[GWB77]

Is this a Tufted x Pochard hybrid? I don't see much Tufted Duck influence.

Why is it not a Ferruginous Duck x Pochard hybrid?

 

[Ornitomania]

Is this a Tufted x Pochard hybrid? I don't see much Tufted Duck influence.

Why is it not a Ferruginous Duck x Pochard hybrid?

It's true, thank you :t:

 

[stevethehydra]

Not only is it a clear Ferruginous x Common Pochard hybrid, it's labelled as such!

Interesting re sex ratios causing an increase in hybridisation - in my experience, both Common Pochards and Tufted Ducks seem to have much higher numbers of males than females at most urban sites. Are there actually more males hatched for some genetic reason, or are females just more shy/elusive?

 

[Nutcracker]

Interesting re sex ratios causing an increase in hybridisation - in my experience, both Common Pochards and Tufted Ducks seem to have much higher numbers of males than females at most urban sites. Are there actually more males hatched for some genetic reason, or are females just more shy/elusive?

Probably due to increased mortality in females; at a guess, predation by pet dogs/cats in locations with inadequate cover for nesting females. There's a recent paper on the changing sex ratio in Pochards which will have better info, I'll see if I can dig out a link to it.

 

[GWB77]

Not only is it a clear Ferruginous x Common Pochard hybrid, it's labelled as such!

It is now. It wasn't when originally posted.

 

[Nutcracker]

There's a recent paper on the changing sex ratio in Pochards which will have better info, I'll see if I can dig out a link to it.

abstract: https://wildfowl.wwt.org.uk/index.php/wildfowl/article/view/2667

full text (pdf): https://wildfowl.wwt.org.uk/index.php/wildfowl/article/download/2667/1784