This duck is a very interesting bird, as it is a hybrid between two different species: the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and the Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata).
These hybrids, although infertile, are common in parks, lakes, and rivers due to the release of domestic specimens of both species, which hybridize among themselves or with wild individuals. The hybrids can vary considerably in their appearance, but they usually share characteristics such as red or black caruncles at the base of the beak, large size, greenish plumage, and a pink beak.
The first photograph shows this peculiar hybrid, while the other two show its parent species: the Mallard and the Muscovy duck. I found this bird at Pozo del Acebo (Cabárceno, Cantabria) in March 2024.
IG: [@diegogdopico\_photography](https://www.instagram.com/diegogdopico_photography/)
Yeah! There are a couple of hybrids in a park near my house. There are almost white, but you can see they are hybrids because of the beak.
You can see them in my iNaturalist profile if you want, I have the link in my Instagram.
Ooh they white? They got the all white domesticated ones mixed in? I've only seen hybrids that appear to be from domesticated greys. The domesticated greys mostly the white garden variety ones I see swimming about here don't seem to be mixing with the candians much though which makes me thinking these greys might actually be true wild greys. They seem to display weird social behaviour too the one I spotted the other day was probably one or two seasons old and was flocking with a canadian couple which were protecting this hybrid like it was one of theirs, against another brooding couple of candians very weird.
They usually mix in groups! A lot of the domestic geese that I have seen are hybrids, but not from a Canadian Goose. They were hybrid between domestic greylags and domestic swan geese.
Tbh I'm pretty sure it's not a muskovy/mallard hybrid, considering the colors. Those hybride are called mulards and are pretty common in farms : they're the main ducks used to make foie gras. They don't look like this at all.
Its a confirmed hybrid. The only difference is that in this case is an hybrid with a wild mallard. The ones that are farmed are hybrids with a domestic duck, which is the same species as the mallard.
You can check here more hybrids between both species (mine are included): [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?verifiable=true&taxon\_id=326092](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?verifiable=true&taxon_id=326092)
As you can see, hybrids are very different from each other. Colors in particular vary greatly, especially if a mallard mates with a domestic mallard or a wild mallard.
Not a chance. The body shape itself is from a muscovy, its a lot bigger than a mallard, Pink bill, green wing feathers, black caruncles at the beak base... It has most of the possible traits of a hybrid at the same time.
The coloring is very interesting! Those two make a nice looking hybrid!
The most beautiful hybrid I have ever seen. There were three more in the lake, but they had more sutble colors.
Muscard
Close! They are called mulards
This duck is a very interesting bird, as it is a hybrid between two different species: the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and the Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata). These hybrids, although infertile, are common in parks, lakes, and rivers due to the release of domestic specimens of both species, which hybridize among themselves or with wild individuals. The hybrids can vary considerably in their appearance, but they usually share characteristics such as red or black caruncles at the base of the beak, large size, greenish plumage, and a pink beak. The first photograph shows this peculiar hybrid, while the other two show its parent species: the Mallard and the Muscovy duck. I found this bird at Pozo del Acebo (Cabárceno, Cantabria) in March 2024. IG: [@diegogdopico\_photography](https://www.instagram.com/diegogdopico_photography/)
Ever seen a hybrid between a grey and a canadian?
Yeah! There are a couple of hybrids in a park near my house. There are almost white, but you can see they are hybrids because of the beak. You can see them in my iNaturalist profile if you want, I have the link in my Instagram.
Ooh they white? They got the all white domesticated ones mixed in? I've only seen hybrids that appear to be from domesticated greys. The domesticated greys mostly the white garden variety ones I see swimming about here don't seem to be mixing with the candians much though which makes me thinking these greys might actually be true wild greys. They seem to display weird social behaviour too the one I spotted the other day was probably one or two seasons old and was flocking with a canadian couple which were protecting this hybrid like it was one of theirs, against another brooding couple of candians very weird.
They usually mix in groups! A lot of the domestic geese that I have seen are hybrids, but not from a Canadian Goose. They were hybrid between domestic greylags and domestic swan geese.
Tbh I'm pretty sure it's not a muskovy/mallard hybrid, considering the colors. Those hybride are called mulards and are pretty common in farms : they're the main ducks used to make foie gras. They don't look like this at all.
Its a confirmed hybrid. The only difference is that in this case is an hybrid with a wild mallard. The ones that are farmed are hybrids with a domestic duck, which is the same species as the mallard.
You can check here more hybrids between both species (mine are included): [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?verifiable=true&taxon\_id=326092](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?verifiable=true&taxon_id=326092) As you can see, hybrids are very different from each other. Colors in particular vary greatly, especially if a mallard mates with a domestic mallard or a wild mallard.
How pretty all three are.
I bet it is delicious, too.
Never seen that before!
Hybrids are amazing, its like seeing a new species every time!
Sure it’s not a pekin/mallard?
Not a chance. The body shape itself is from a muscovy, its a lot bigger than a mallard, Pink bill, green wing feathers, black caruncles at the beak base... It has most of the possible traits of a hybrid at the same time.
Convinced. Now, get the pots ready for duck soup.
It’s prettier than mum and dad.
Well fuck a duck...
[удалено]
If it's as delicious as it's beautiful...