What duck do you think is the most likely to be lost to aviculture in the UK? Particularly, in its pure species form. For instance, the Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors, seen here in the wild in Canada, waxes and wanes in popularity.
This teal will hybridise readily with the likes of Cinnamon Teal Spatula cyanoptera, particularly in maintained collections. Their wild abundance and tolerance of disturbance has made them ideal subjects for study. Despite being reliable gateway birds, they don’t necessarily catch the eye of new aviculturists. Will we one day be asking ‘where they have all gone?’
Our thanks to John Meade for the photo.
Go back Introduction PromoStronger • Together • for Aviculture
Membership
Membership is open to all. When membership levels allow, we will print our magazines. In the meantime, our membership rate reflects the digital-only output.