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Project Noah Nature School
Anas [platyrhynchos x wyvilliana]
This is a male Anas [platyrhynchos x wyvilliana], a hybrid cross between a Hawaiian duck (endangered) and a feral mallard. Its head is nearly black with some green flecks.
Seen swimming on a saltwater pond on the big island. The Hawaiian duck's original range was throughout the major islands of the Hawaiian archipelago, but habitat modification/destruction and invasive species have restricted pure Hawaiian ducks to the island of Kauai.
If this isn't a hybrid, it's extremely exciting to spot a Hawaiian duck on any island besides Kauai! Hawaiian ducks are endangered.
Yeah! It's exciting. There was only one of these in a pond with mallards, egrets and herons.
Jellis, did you read my note? If your suggestion's right, this is a rare find; Hawaiian ducks are endangered and I've spotted it out of its range.
Spotted on Jan 3, 2013
Submitted on Feb 8, 2013
