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Birding/Do owls cross breed?

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Expert: - 6/3/2010


Question
I always wondered what a great grey/ great horned mix would look like, but I don't think owls cross breed

Answer
I am not familiar with the case that you're stating, but there are lots of hybrids in the bird world. In the warbler genus of Dendroica there are several species that cross breed and mixed birds are hatched, though I can't remember if they offspring are fertile or not (probably not).

In most of the animal kingdom, hybrids can only come from the union of species of the same genus only.

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Miguel Rodriguez

Expertise

Long time enthusiast of birding, specifically of the birds of the island of HISPANIOLA (Dominican Republic and Haiti) in the CARIBBEAN. Also, some knowledge of CARIBBEAN FAUNA IN GENERAL. I also have a limited knowledge of birds of Eastern North America. I am NOT A VETERINARIAN NOR A BIRD BREEDER so can not give any information regarding bird diet, nesting habits, chick raising, etc.

Experience

Amateur ornithologist since 1992.

Organizations
Founding member of the Hispaniolan Ornithological Society.

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