Two out of many

Back to Auckland this afternoon, and a jog around the streets. In Rimutaka Avenue I came across a gathering of ducks on someone's front lawn. I think there were more than the last time I saw them.

I think that this couple demonstrate the way that the introduced mallards are affecting the native Parera (Grey Duck). The drake is pretty standard mallard in appearance. The duck behind it is probably a hybrid. It has a grey bill rather than the yellow of the mallard. The Parera has two facial stripes, and this duck has a lartial second stripe. I was not able to see the other characteristics, but the colouring is more that of the Parera. Experts believe that in the not too distant future there will be few if any pure Parera.