I think some of my mallards might be hybrids?

[TheDaringDucks]

I thought I got purebred mallards, but as the months have gone on, small little things have cropped up and made me question at least a few of them. (Not that I have any issue with them possibly being hybrids, it's just a curiosity to me)

First, Geronimo (~6-7 months old) This only shows up in certain lighting, but he has a bronze-colored shine on his cheeks and forehead (you can actually see a delineation of the part that is pure green versus the bronze-y bits in the second pic below). My other mallard drake, Yippee (3rd picture on the right) doesn't display this coloration so far (He is 1 month younger than Geronimo and almost finished with his own first nupital molt).

And another weird thing for funsies, one of my hens, Banzai, has been developing what I can only describe as the white neck ring of a male mallard. It's subtle and hard to catch on camera, but very much a new development for her. She has none of the other coloration that should be exclusive to a drake, just a white ring around her neck. Very strange!

Lastly, I added a trio of hens to my flock who were advertised as mallards, but do not have the bill length for mallards. I mean, look at this short lil face! She's so pudgy and cute! I think she and her sisters might be part (or full) call duck (they absolutely SCREAM their heads off if the flock goes anywhere without them, way louder than my other "pure mallard" hens).

I just thought I'd share because these sorts of observations fascinate me. If anyone has thoughts, I'd love to hear them!

 

[Canadian Wind]

Firstly, just a correction, but a hybrid is between species (like between a horse and a donkey, or a lion and a tiger), so in this case it would be mixed breed.

There is *some* variation in duck colouring, so this might be it. I think I've seen a female with a slight white neck line before.

And yes, that last one looks like a Call (and it sounds like she acts like it too! )

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

First, Geronimo (~6-7 months old) This only shows up in certain lighting, but he has a bronze-colored shine on his cheeks and forehead (you can actually see a delineation of the part that is pure green versus the bronze-y bits in the second pic below).

Your Geronimo is amazing.

I would really like to see other pictures of him...?
I actually don't even think I could see enough of them, because I find him so unique and beautiful... just wooooow...!!

That's a shame you don't actually know what his parents look like, because it would be so interesting to know how he has got his green and bronze head...!!

And another weird thing for funsies, one of my hens, Banzai, has been developing what I can only describe as the white neck ring of a male mallard. It's subtle and hard to catch on camera, but very much a new development for her. She has none of the other coloration that should be exclusive to a drake, just a white ring around her neck. Very strange!

...Could you tell us how old she is, exactly?

Lastly, I added a trio of hens to my flock who were advertised as mallards, but do not have the bill length for mallards. I mean, look at this short lil face! She's so pudgy and cute! I think she and her sisters might be part (or full) call duck (they absolutely SCREAM their heads off if the flock goes anywhere without them, way louder than my other "pure mallard" hens).

Your last girl looks like a Call duck, indeed... but if you could post pictures of her entire body, it would probably be easier to tell if she is purebred or not...?
(Not that I am an expert on Call ducks; ah, ah!)

 

[TheDaringDucks]

Firstly, just a correction, but a hybrid is between species

Oh, my bad, lol! I guess I meant the only one who I might think could be an actual hybrid over a mix-breed would probably be Geronimo (whereas the girls listed last could be call mix-breeds). I have found some mallard hybrids (mixed with wild species like gadwalls, pintails, and such) with bronze cheeks, but they're not quite the same as Geronimo's, so I couldn't say for sure. I'm almost thinking, if that were the case, it might be a slight throwback beyond an immediate parent (maybe a grandparent or even further back).

Here is some examples of a gadwall x mallard:

And a northern pintail x mallard:

There may be additional evidence that Geronimo has pintail blood, as he does have freckles on the top bridge of his bill, which pintails often have marks there, where most mallards drakes' bills are almost solid yellow. It's subtle, but maybe just another sign that its a diluted hybridization.

I would really like to see other pictures of him...?

He really is such a handsome fellow! I honestly love how his head almost looks like a dark rainbow because of the bronze. He's got red, green, and blue sheen depending on the light!

...Could you tell us how old she is, exactly?

Banzai is ~5-6 months! Just a month or so younger than Geronimo. (so I don't think its age-related henopause lol)

Your last girl looks like a Call duck, indeed... but if you could post pictures of her entire body, it would probably be easier to tell if she is purebred or not...?

It's so hard to get a good picture of the (possible-call) girls. They hate being isolated from the other ducks to get a clear shot.

Can you spy all 3 girls in this picture?

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

I'm almost thinking, if that were the case, it might be a slight throwback beyond an immediate parent (maybe a grandparent or even further back).

I don't know if it would be actually possible : indeed, I am pretty sure actual hybrid ducks - and NOT mere crosses between 2 domestic breeds - are, in fact, sterile.

(An expert's opinion would be appreciated here!!)

...You could be interested by this thread : https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wood-duck-hybrids-pictures-including-mallard-x-wood-duck.756201/

There may be additional evidence that Geronimo has pintail blood, as he does have freckles on the top bridge of his bill, which pintails often have marks there, where most mallards drakes' bills are almost solid yellow. It's subtle, but maybe just another sign that its a diluted hybridization.

I insist about the fact, in my humble opinion : if Geronimo has, indeed, Pintail's blood, then the Pintail duck would be one of his parents, and NOT a grandparent... because hybrid ducks are mules (and so, can not produce offsprings).

But again : an expert's opinion would be very much worthier than mine!

He really is such a handsome fellow! I honestly love how his head almost looks like a dark rainbow because of the bronze. He's got red, green, and blue sheen depending on the light!

Yes : he is really beautiful, and I very much appreciate you posting so many pictures of him.
Thank you!

(I would like to see such a duck in real life, because the colours on his head are amazing!!)

It's so hard to get a good picture of the (possible-call) girls. They hate being isolated from the other ducks to get a clear shot.

Oh my God... I soooooooo understand you!!
(I just can't take any good enough picture of my ducks...!!)
Ah, ah, ah!!

Can you spy all 3 girls in this picture?

Yes : the third one is on our left.
(Hard to see, indeed!!)

 

[Bubblesduck]

I thought I got purebred mallards, but as the months have gone on, small little things have cropped up and made me question at least a few of them. (Not that I have any issue with them possibly being hybrids, it's just a curiosity to me)

First, Geronimo (~6-7 months old) This only shows up in certain lighting, but he has a bronze-colored shine on his cheeks and forehead (you can actually see a delineation of the part that is pure green versus the bronze-y bits in the second pic below). My other mallard drake, Yippee (3rd picture on the right) doesn't display this coloration so far (He is 1 month younger than Geronimo and almost finished with his own first nupital molt).
View attachment 3980356View attachment 3980359View attachment 3980395

And another weird thing for funsies, one of my hens, Banzai, has been developing what I can only describe as the white neck ring of a male mallard. It's subtle and hard to catch on camera, but very much a new development for her. She has none of the other coloration that should be exclusive to a drake, just a white ring around her neck. Very strange!
View attachment 3980362

Lastly, I added a trio of hens to my flock who were advertised as mallards, but do not have the bill length for mallards. I mean, look at this short lil face! She's so pudgy and cute! I think she and her sisters might be part (or full) call duck (they absolutely SCREAM their heads off if the flock goes anywhere without them, way louder than my other "pure mallard" hens).
View attachment 3980363

I just thought I'd share because these sorts of observations fascinate me. If anyone has thoughts, I'd love to hear them!

Mallards will cross breed with any other duck that are capable of mating with, but that said, there are also variations in Mallard colors.

This is a Mallard / white call duck cross (hen)- she is laying like that because she is completely safe and secure

 

[Bubblesduck]

I also have a Mallard Hen/Snowy Call duck drake cross - he has a full size mallard body but a lighter shade of color