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@lavretskylab

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We are a wildlife genetics lab serving the needs for proper conservation of management of biodiversity.🔬🍃🏞️

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When Tim harvested this turkey in Louisiana during spring 2026, he quickly reached out to us at wildturkeyDNA to see if we could help him determine the origin of the odd plumage in this bird. In short, Tim wondered whether he shot a smoke phase wild turkey, or a Heritage turkey that had escaped or been released. The tail feathers on this bird appear normal for a wild turkey, although the tips on both the tail feathers and rump feathers are lighter than you’d expect for the Eastern subspecies, which is what occurs in Louisiana. The secondary coverts on the wing are white with black tips, and the contour feathers on the body are also white with varying amounts of black in them. Well, genetics testing through wildturkeyDNA revealed that this turkey is 100% wild turkey. In the second image, you can clearly see that Tim’s bird clusters solidly with the hundreds of samples we have tested from Eastern wild turkeys. This is the second bird we’ve tested through wildturkeyDNA that appears to be a smoke phase wild turkey! Congratulations to Tim for harvesting such a unique wild turkey and stay tuned for more results from wildturkeyDNA as we explore the origin of plumage variations and evaluate population genetics in these magnificent birds.
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#science #research #turkeyhunting

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Congratulations to Brandon Flory on harvesting this remarkable Canada Goose x Domestic Goose hybrid in southeastern Pennsylvania this past January!

At first glance, this bird could easily be mistaken for a blonde Canada Goose or even a Canada Goose x Greater White-fronted Goose hybrid due to its orange bill and feet. However, duckDNA testing confirmed that this goose is a first-generation hybrid produced by a male Domestic Goose and a female Canada Goose.

So far, we have identified more than a dozen Canada Goose x Domestic Goose hybrids, and every case involved a Canada Goose as the mother and a Domestic Goose as the father. This pattern suggests that male Domestic Geese are more likely to pair with female Canada Geese, while male Canada Geese may show little interest in Domestic Goose females. An alternative hypothesis is that offspring resulting from the mating of a male Canada Goose and female Domestic Goose are simply less viable and therefore rarely encountered.

The data being assembled through duckDNA will help researchers investigate these and other fascinating questions, providing new insights into the complex world of waterfowl hybridization in the wild.

#duckDNA #waterfowlscience #goosehunting #hybridgoose #canadagoose #domesticgoose

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This week wildturkeyDNA heads down to the bayou in Louisiana where Tim shot a unique looking turkey during spring 2026. We’ll post results tomorrow, but drop your thoughts in the comments as to what you think is the origin of the plumage on this bird? It is a wild turkey, a Heritage turkey, or something else?
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#science #research #wildturkeyhunting

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When Zach shot this turkey in Idaho this past spring, he reached out to us at wildturkeyDNA to help him figure out the origin of the white plumage in his bird.
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As with samples from other solid white turkeys we’ve tested, we wanted to know whether Zach’s turkey was a true wild turkey, barnyard bird, a hybrid, or something else.
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It turns out, genetic testing revealed that this bird is 100% wild turkey, and more specifically, is 100% Merriam’s wild turkey.
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You can see clearly in the second image, Zach’s bird clusters directly within other samples we’ve tested from Merriam’s wild turkeys. This wild turkey is leucistic, which is caused by a genetic mutation that results in a loss of pigmentation in feathers. Because the mutation only affects melanin deposition in feathers, the other parts of the bird’s body appear normal.
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Thus far, through wildturkeyDNA we’ve confirmed leucistic wild turkeys across multiple subspecies, and we’re continuing to dig into what the presence of leucistic birds means at a population scale.
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We congratulate Zach on harvesting such a unique wild turkey and stay tuned for more results from wildturkeyDNA as we explore the origin of plumage color variations and other aspects of population genetics in these magnificent birds.
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#science #conservation #research #wildturkeyhunting

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Great find by James Petersen in submitting this fascinating Gadwall x Mallard hybrid backcross. This bird, and several others like it, are challenging the long-held beliefs of the reproductive viability of hybrids. Genetic analysis shows that this bird is the result of a successful breeding between a Gadwall × Mallard hybrid (commonly called a Brewer's Duck) and a female Gadwall.

Hybrids between distantly related species, such as Mallards and Gadwall, are commonly believed to be sterile. Yet we have identified multiple birds that are the result of a Brewer’s Duck backcrossing with a Gadwall, demonstrating that these hybrids can reproduce and pass their genes to future generations.

What's especially surprising is that nearly every Gadwall × Mallard backcross we've encountered appears to have been the result of a male Brewer’s Duck mating with a female Gadwall. This pattern suggests that male Brewer's Ducks may preferentially select Gadwall mates, a question we are excited to explore further.

This bird's appearance is overwhelmingly Gadwall-like, reflecting its predominantly Gadwall genetics. This helps explain why hunters have typically referred to birds of this type as a “stud gadwall” or a gadwall with aberrant plumage. However, the broad iridescent green stripe across the crown is an indicator of Mallard influence.

Another giveaway of this bird’s mixed ancestry is its sharply defined and buff-colored cheek patch and broad black neck ring. While Gadwall can occasionally show pale cheeks, they are typically subtle and overlaid with fine vermiculation. This bird's facial pattern is reminiscent of traits commonly seen in first-generation Gadwall × Mallard hybrids.

Overall, this is an exceptional example of a Gadwall-dominant backcross, combining the appearance of a Gadwall with several reminders of its Mallard ancestry. Thanks again to James for sharing such a unique and informative bird!

#duckDNA #waterfowlscience #duckhunting #duckhybrid #mallard #gadwall

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This week wildturkeyDNA heads to Idaho, and an area with stunning views, to identify the origin of the solid white plumage in Zach’s turkey. We will reveal results tomorrow but drop your comments below as to what you think about the origin of the odd plumage in this bird. Is it a wild turkey, a Heritage turkey, or something else?
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#science #research #conservation

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Props to Kyle Burdue for noticing the uniqueness of this Florida Mottled Duck x Game-farm Mallard Hybrid this past December in Central Florida!

At first glance, this looks like your regular Mottled Duck: dark feathers with tan edging, black spot at the base of a prominent yellow bill, and dark eye stripe. But wait! What’s that on the wing? On a typical Florida Mottled Duck, the white bars above and below the speculum are faint to nonexistent. However, these white stripes are rather hefty. What’s up with that?

Turns out, this Mottled Duck has Game-farm Mallard ancestry mixed in. While it is a relatively small amount at 13%—reflecting a series of backcrosses with pure Mottled Ducks—studies have shown that even a small percentage of Game-farm Mallard heritage can alter appearance and behavior.

It’s easy to wonder whether this drake’s behaviors and habitat preferences were different from a pure Mottled Duck. How much was dictated by its remaining Game-farm Mallard ancestry? Knowing the extent of Game-farm Mallard ancestry among Florida Mottled Ducks is important to waterfowl managers because of its potential threats to the genetic integrity and sustainability of native Mottled Ducks. Our team appreciates the opportunity to provide data that will continue to inform this understanding.

#duckDNA #waterfowlscience #duckhunting #duckhybrid #mallard #mottledduck

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Big thanks to Brayden Bledsaw for submitting this Greater Scaup x Lesser Scaup hybrid harvested this past January in Arkansas!

Immediately upon seeing this bird, we knew something was afoot. The black and white vermiculation on its back and its broad “blue bill” provided obvious clues to its scaup ancestry. The enlarged nail on its bill and white extending onto the primaries were indicative of Greater Scaup, but something still seemed a bit atypical.

DNA analysis confirmed our suspicion. This bird is 88% Greater Scaup and 12% Lesser Scaup, pointing to a hybrid breeding between these two species somewhere in the past, perhaps as a great-grandparent or further back.

Adding to the intrigue around this bird is its harvest location in Arkansas. Lesser Scaup and Greater Scaup are closely related and use similar breeding and wintering habitats where both occur, leading to occasional hybridization events. However, Greater Scaup are far less abundant overall than Lesser Scaup and are typically associated with coastal and marine waters. Lesser Scaup, in contrast, are more likely to occur on inland habitats of the type likely encountered in Arkansas, making this a truly unique find!

Thanks to Brayden for noting the unusual features of this bird and for reaching out to duckDNA for definitive answers! What other unusual diver hybrids are you hoping we will uncover this season?

#duckDNA #waterfowlscience #duckhunting #duckhybrid #greaterscaup #lesserscaup #scaup

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When Tristen harvested this unique looking turkey in Alabama during spring 2026, he reached out to us at wildturkeyDNA to see if we could help determine the origin of the interesting looking plumage on his bird. The primary feathers are entirely black, and the secondary feathers also lack barring but have varying tones of browns with reddish hues. The contour feathers on the back are also quite dark, and the feathers at the base of the tail are darker than you’d expect in an Eastern wild turkey. Lastly, the tail feathers have an interesting black subterminal band along with reddish tones that create a stunning appearance. Genetics testing through wildturkeyDNA revealed that Tristen’s bird was 100% wild turkey, and what a beautiful wild turkey it is! You can see in the 3rd image that this bird clusters directly within the hundreds of samples we’ve obtained from Eastern wild turkeys, and this bird’s plumage is the result of multiple genetic mutations that are causing overproduction of melanin, which contributes to the dark plumage. Congratulations to Tristan for harvesting such a beautiful and unique wild turkey, and stay tuned for more results from wildturkeyDNA as we explore the origin of plumage variations in these magnificent birds.

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This week, wildturkeyDNA stays put in Alabama to take a look at a truly unique turkey harvested by Tristan during spring 2026. We’ll post results tomorrow, but drop your thoughts in the comments as to the origin of the unique plumage on this bird. Is it a wild turkey, a Heritage turkey, or something else?

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When this turkey was harvested in Alabama during spring 2025, a friend of the hunter reached out to us at wildturkeyDNA to see if we’d be interested in figuring out the origin of the odd plumage in this bird. And what a cool looking turkey! The secondary coverts on the wing are mostly white and tipped in black, whereas the primary feathers on the wing appear mostly normal. The secondary feathers are largely white with only faint dark barring. The contour feathers on the body are pale white with black tips, as are the feathers on the upper surface of the wing. Well, genetic testing through wildturkeyDNA revealed that this turkey is 100% wild turkey! In the 2nd image, you can clearly see that this bird clusters solidly within the many hundreds of samples we have tested from Eastern wild turkeys. Many years ago, the late Lovett Williams published a paper showing several turkeys believed to be fully wild that had smoke gray plumage, and for many years, turkeys that appear similar to this bird from Alabama have been called a smoke color phase. However, whether these birds that are harvested are true wild turkeys or not has been debated for years. Well, this wild turkey certainly appears to fit the description of a smoke color phase and is the first 100% wild turkey with this plumage coloration that we’ve documented through wildturkeyDNA. Congratulations to the lucky hunter who was blessed to harvest such a unique wild turkey, and stay tuned for more results from wildturkeyDNA as we explore the origin of plumage variations in these magnificent birds.

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Huge thanks to Kateo Faaiu for submitting this incredible leucistic intersex Wild Mallard x Game-Farm Mallard hybrid from the Seattle area this past January.

Leucistic Mallards, commonly referred to as blonde Mallards, are already exceptionally rare, and like most we've tested, this bird carries game-farm genetics. Yet its light plumage is only part of what makes this bird so fascinating.

Based on plumage alone, this duck appears to be a male. It displays several classic drake characteristics, including a white neck collar, curled tail feathers, a light chestnut-brown breast, and a darker head. However, its bill tells a different story. The bill shows a pronounced dark saddle and an orange tip, hinting at this bird’s uniqueness. Genetic testing confirmed this bird was in fact female but had begun to display male plumage.

Intersex ducks like this one are affected by hormonal imbalances that can result from a variety of causes, including ovarian injury, disease, or old age. Its other unique trait—leucism—is produced by a rare genetic condition, making the occurrence of both traits in the same bird exceptionally uncommon!

Whatever the explanation, thanks to genetic testing, we know this bird is truly one of a kind —a leucistic, intersex, hybrid Mallard.

#duckDNA #waterfowlscience #duckhunting #duckhybrid #mallard

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