mallard ducks
1. Mallard Duck
The Mallard Duck or Anas platyrhynchos as it’s known scientifically is one of the most recognized and widespread bird species in the world.
2. Appearance
The Mallard Duck is impressively distinctive with a robust structure, multicolored feathers, and a rounded head. Males boast iridescent green heads, and eye-ring of white, accompanied by a narrow white-collar which stands out against a chestnut-brown chest and pale grey body. The beak is yellow to greenish. Female Mallards have mainly brown-speckled plumage, with an orange-brown bill often marked by a slight black saddle. Both genders have purple-blue speculum feathers edged with white, found on the trailing edge of the wing. Their eyes are commonly a rich brown color.
3. Size
Mallards have an average body length of 56-65 cm (22-26 inches), which is generally comparable in both sexes. Their wingspan ranges from 81 to 98 cm (32-39 inches). The weight varies greatly – males can weigh between 0.9-1.4 kg (2-3 lbs), while females are slightly smaller, weighing in between 0.7-1.2 kg (1.5-2.6 lbs).
4. Habitat & Distribution
The Mallard Duck is fantastical widespread; they can be found across North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. In Australasia and the rest of Africa, they are introduced species. Their existence has been noted in almost every terrestrial habitat that supplies an ample amount of water including marshes, swamps, rivers, ponds, lakes, and even in urban areas like public parks. They prefer freshwater, but can also be found in saltwater, coastal locations.
5. Interesting Facts
A fun fact about Mallard Ducks is that they’re dabbling ducks. Unlike diving ducks, they feed mainly at the surface of water bodies. They have an interesting courting ritual, with males showing off their colorful heads and engaging in various displays to attract a mate.
6. Diet
A Mallard Duck’s diet is omnivorous. It primarily feeds on aquatic vegetation, seeds and grain but will also consume invertebrates, mollusks, and small amphibians.
7. Behavior & Sounds
Mallards are generally social birds, forming groups in both breeding and wintering periods. Their call is well-known, with the female giving a loud, quacking sound, while the male has a quieter, raspy call. The Mallard Duck is also known for its ‘dabbling’ feeding style where it upends, tail in the air, to reach toward the bottom of the water for food.
8. Conservation Status
Mallard Ducks have a status of “Least Concern” according to the IUCN Red List because of their large population and the vast range it occupies.
9. Lifespan
In the wild, Mallard Ducks can live up to 5 to 10 years depending on conditions and predation but they have been known to live up to 27 years in captivity.
10. Additional Notes
Many languages have adopted a variant of their English name, such as the French “canard colvert” or the Spanish “pato real”. As for human interactions, they’re often seen in parks where people enjoy feeding them, although bread is not a healthy option for them. Mallard Ducks also play an important role in the ecosystem by consuming a large number of insects and thereby controlling pests. They also aid in the dispersal of aquatic plants by digesting seeds and excreting them in new locations, contributing significantly to biodiversity.
