Pacific Black Duck Mother
by Miroslava Jurcik
Title
Pacific Black Duck Mother
Artist
Miroslava Jurcik
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
She wasn't happy that I was near her so she decided to get out of the water and little once followed.
According to Victoria University researchers mallard ducks, introduced from North America and Europe, are breeding with the local Pacific black ducks at such a rate that the species could be at risk of extinction in its pure form.
''It took less than 100 years from when the mallards were first introduced [to New Zealand] from Europe and North America for wild Pacific black ducks to reach the brink of extinction,'' Dr Guay said. ''It's really important not to underestimate the importance of this issue here.''
Unlike in New Zealand where mallards quickly colonised the whole country, in Australia they have stuck to urban areas since being introduced in the 1860s. However, their hybrid offspring are more likely to travel and their wider dispersal range brings them into contact with pure-blood Pacific black ducks.
However, even for the trained eye, it can be difficult to tell a hybrid, a mallard and a Pacific black duck apart. ''Appearances can be deceiving,'' Dr Guay said.
To reduce the chance of further inter-breeding, Dr Guay urged people not to release unwanted pet ducks into the wild to breed with the natives.
Taken at the Basin, Sydney.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/why-this-little-black-duck-may-be-no-more-20100706-zz1s.html
Uploaded
August 15th, 2017
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Viewed 818 Times - Last Visitor from Cambridge, MA on 04/20/2024 at 12:07 AM
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Comments (34)
William Tasker
I enjoyed viewing this fine nature photograph and have featured it on the homepage of the group, Wild Birds Of The World - A Nature Photography Group. L/F
Darin Williams
Beautiful capture and beautiful duck! That is sad about the interbreeding caused by the introduction of alien species to the ecosystem. l/f
Chrisann Ellis
Miroslava, Outstanding work!!!.. Your Work has been Featured On The Home Page of Weekly Fun For All Mediums...Congrats!!!
Christiane Schulze Art And Photography
She is beautiful. A lovely capture with great details Miroslava (F/L/T)