Details
Anas platyrhynchos
The mallard is a widespread duck of Northern Hemisphere wetlands. Diurnal loose groups swim and forage on a wide range of foods.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses lakes, rivers, marshes, ponds, park waters, and farmland. Shallow water with vegetated edges is especially useful.
Wingspan is about 81-98 cm and weight about 700-1,600 g. Males have a green head and yellow bill; females are mottled brown, both with blue wing patches.
Active by day, it swims on the surface and tips up in shallow water to feed. Outside breeding, birds may gather in large flocks.
It is omnivorous, eating aquatic plants, seeds, grain, insects, and small aquatic animals. It feeds on water, in shallows, and on land.
Females nest on the ground in cover and incubate the eggs. Ducklings are precocial and soon follow the female to water.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. It lives readily near people, and hybridization with domestic or related ducks occurs in some areas.
