Egyptian Goose <i>Alopochen aegyptiaca</i> hybridizes with Common Shelduck <i>Tadorna tadorna</i>

Abstract

Hybridization in wild Anatidae is a regular occurrence, especially in the smaller species of waterfowl (Milstein 1979). Wildfowl are also more prone to hybridize in wild populations than other bird groups, mainly because of the close genetic proximity of species, their mating systems where pair bonds are renewed each year in some species and similarity of courtship displays (del Hoyo et al. 1992). Milstein (1979) found hybridization at Barberspan Nature Reserve, Delareyville, North West Province mainly between native duck species such as Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma, Redbilled Teal Anas erythrorhynncha and Yellowbilled Duck Anas undulata. Hybridization in the wild occur mainly as a consequence of the close relationship between different species such as the Alopochen and Tadorna genera of the subfamily Tadorninae on which this paper reports (del Hoyo et al. 1992).