Why don't birds inter-breed e.g a blackbird with a starling? Other animals do it, why not birds?

Answer 1

Birds cross breed (hybridise) quite frequently both in the wild and in captivity.

Wild hybrids are way more common than most people think, but unless you are a birdwatcher you probably wouldn’t even spot them. People often see an odd looking birds and simply think it’s a type they haven’t seen before, when in fact it is a hybrid of two well-known species. I used to share an office with an ornithologist, and probably 10% of the inquiries he got about stange birds turned out to be hybrids.

Ducks are particularly noted for forming wild hybrids and many if not all north American mallards for example are of mixed species ancestry (see the first link below).

Humans also produce hybrid birds in captivity. Chickens are commonly bred with pheasants or guinea fowl to produce mutts, and occasionally chickens are crossbred with turkeys.

Answer 2

I don't think you're realizing what a huge array of species is covered by the label "birds". That's a lot like saying, "Why don't mammals interbreed?" or "Why don't fish interbreed?" Some birds do interbreed, just like some mammals and some fish interbreed. Closely related species and subspecies often mate with each other. But something like blackbirds mating with starlings (in the bird world) would be the equivilent of a pig mating with a bobcat (in the mammal world) or a tuna mating with a nurse shark (in the fish world). It's just not going to happen.

Answer 3

Some birds do interbreed...some examples: the Lazuli Bunting and the Indigo Bunting, Townsend Warbler and Hermit Warbler. Birds that are similar enough can interbreed. A starling and a blackbird are two different families altogether so they would not be able to interbreed.

Answer 4

The anatomy does not allow that to happen.

However, Birds which are closely related (same genus or family) can breed and such cases do happen in the wild, though very very rare. Sea Gulls are the most notorious for inter-species breeding.

Answer 5

This is one of the definitions of a species; that the members don't cross breed with another species even if it is biologically possible.
When animals (including us) are growing up, they go through a learning phase called the 'critical period for primary socialisation' and that imprints a blueprint of adults of their own kind in their brain. When they reach breeding age they look for mates that fit the blueprint. Its called 'imprinting'. Blackbirds just aren't interested in mating with starlings or thrushes; they 'look wrong'.
When we hand rear animals in isolation from other members of their own kind they imprint on us; they think that their ideal partner is human shaped. Ducklings that are raised with chickens never learn to swim, and don't want to spend time around ducks if they are introduced to them as adults. Lambs that are raised indoors with dogs grow up into sheep that think they are dogs; they can be used to help train dogs not to chase sheep because they are unafraid and don't run away.
But in the wild, its only the cuckoo that leaves her young to be reared by another species.
And the definition of a cut and dried seperate species is a human invention designed for classification.

Answer 6

I think birds do.I saw a Raven once with white markings on like a Magpie and no it was not a Magpie it was definitely Raven origin.

Answer 7

There are reproductive barriers that prevent such occurences. A species is defined as a group of animals that interbreeds. Most other animals do not do it because of this reproductive isolation.

Answer 8

Evolutionary mutations in response to environmental change can prevent two animals origionally from the same species from reproducing, if you want more information try searching Darwin's finches.

Answer 9

I have never seen a lion and a tiger inter breed. Vets have done artificial insemination but that is as far as it goes.

Answer 10

I think other species wont find the mating call a turn on. so wont get what the other bird is trying to say! :) does that sound mad lol