Anas platyrhynchos
The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is perhaps the most recognizable and widespread dabbling duck in the Northern Hemisphere, known for its striking sexual dimorphism. Drakes boast an iridescent green head and neck, separated from a rich chestnut breast by a crisp white neck-ring, complemented by grey flanks, a black rear, and distinctive curled central tail feathers. Hens are mottled brown with a dark eye-line, making them excellent at camouflage, though both sexes share vibrant orange legs and...
Mallards thrive in a wide array of freshwater and brackish habitats, including ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes, estuaries, and even urban parks, from sea level to moderate elevations.
Mallards are omnivorous and opportunistic, primarily feeding on seeds, aquatic vegetation, grains, and a variety of invertebrates such as insects, larvae, crustaceans, snails, and worms, mainly by dabbling or grazing.
Mallards are primarily diurnal, actively foraging during the day and roosting on open water or sheltered banks at night. Their foraging strategy as dabblers involves "tipping up" to reach submerged vegetation, though they also graze on land and skim the surface. While not strictly territorial in ...
The Mallard boasts a vast Holarctic distribution, breeding across the majority of North America, Europe, and Asia. In North America, their breeding range extends from Alaska and across Canada, south through the contiguous United States, with significant populations in the prairie potholes. Eurasi...
Least Concern
- The Mallard is the wild ancestor of almost all domestic duck breeds worldwide. - The iconic "quack" sound is almost exclusively made by female Mallards; males produce a quieter, raspy 'raeb' or 'kwek'. - Mallards are capable of hybridizing with over 40 other duck species, making them a signific...