Pintail males are lecherous

Yesterday I pointed out how genetic analyses are solving the mystery of relatively frequent hybridization in ducks. It is largely the result of forced extra-pair copulation (aka rape).

Most of us have had to watched this in park Mallards. Accordingly, I was not surprised that everyone who answered yesterday’s quiz about the origins of Pintail x Mallard hybrids suggested Mallards as dad.

But in 90% of cases, it is Pintails as dad. Forced extra-pair copulation is an even more prevalent male reproductive tactic in Pintails.