A bird hybrid is a bird that has two different species as parents. The resulting bird can present with any combination of characters from the parent species, from totally identical to completely different. Usually, the bird hybrid shows intermediate characteristics between the two species. A "successful" hybrid is one demonstrated to produce fertile offspring. According to the most recent estimates, about 16% of all wild bird species species have been known to hybridize with one another; this number increases to 22% when captive hybrids are taken into account.[1]
In the wild, some of the most frequently reported hybrids are waterfowl,[2] gulls,[3] hummingbirds,[4] and birds of paradise.[5] Mallards, whether of wild or domestic origin, hybridize with other ducks so often that multiple duck species are at risk of extinction because of it.[6][7] In gulls, Western x Glaucous-winged Gulls (known as "Olympic Gulls") are particularly common; these hybrids are fertile and may be more evolutionarily fit than either parent species.[8] At least twenty different hummingbird hybrid combinations have been reported, and intrageneric hybrids are not uncommon within the family.[9] [10]
Wood-warblers are known to hybridize as well, and an unusual three-species hybrid was discovered in May 2018.[11] Hybridisation in shorebirds is unusual but reliably recorded.
Numerous gamebird, domestic fowl and duck hybrids are known. Captive songbird hybrids are sometimes called mules.
The scientific literature on hybridization in birds has been collected at the Avian Hybrids Project.
- ^ Ottenburghs, Jente; Ydenberg, Ronald C.; Hooft, Pim Van; Wieren, Sipke E. Van; Prins, Herbert H. T. (2015-10-01). "The Avian Hybrids Project: gathering the scientific literature on avian hybridization". Ibis. 157 (4): 892–894. doi:10.1111/ibi.12285. ISSN 1474-919X.
- ^ "Waterfowl Hybrids". www.ducks.org. Retrieved 2018-12-04T17:59:22Z.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ www.bsc-eoc.org https://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/bccws/Resources/GullIDGuideImm.pdf. Retrieved 2018-12-04T18:03:50Z.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Which Birds Produce the Most Hybrids?". Audubon. 2018-04-20. Retrieved 2018-12-04T18:05:37Z.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Hybrid Species of Bird of Paradise or Cendrawasih | Beauty of Birds". www.beautyofbirds.com. Retrieved 2018-12-04T18:06:13Z.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Mottled Duck Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology". www.allaboutbirds.org. Retrieved 2018-12-04T18:11:47Z.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Hawaiian Duck - Introduction". birdsna.org. Retrieved 2018-12-04.
{{cite web}}: Text "Birds of North America Online" ignored (help) - ^ Appleton, Dave (2014-06-05). "Bird Hybrids: Western Gull x Glaucous-winged Gull". Bird Hybrids. Retrieved 2018-12-04T18:24:50Z.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ says, It’s complicated: Hybrid hummingbirds in Mexico-Avian Hybrids (2014-12-12). "Apodiformes". Avian Hybrids. Retrieved 2018-12-04T18:30:44Z.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "westtexashummingbirds.com: Hybrids". Retrieved 2018-12-04T18:34:50Z.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ GrrlScientist. "Scientists Discover A Rare Bird That's A Hybrid Of Three Different Species". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-12-04T18:37:28Z.
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