Taxonomy
Common Names by Region
Description The Mallard Duck is a medium-sized waterfowl known for its distinctive coloring and widespread presence. The male, or drake, is characterized by its iridescent green head, white neck ring, chestnut-brown chest, and grey body. Females and juveniles are mottled brown with orange-brown bills. Both sexes have a distinctive blue patch on their wings, bordered with white, visible during flight.
Known Range The Mallard Duck is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. It is widespread across North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of northern Africa. During migration, they can be seen in a variety of habitats including wetlands, ponds, rivers, and lakes.
Diet Mallards are omnivorous and have a diverse diet that includes aquatic vegetation, insects, small fish, and crustaceans. They are often seen dabbling in shallow water to forage for food. They may also feed on grains and seeds in agricultural areas.
Breeding Breeding season for Mallards typically begins in the spring. They are monogamous for the breeding season, and females build nests in concealed locations on the ground, often near water. The female lays 8-13 eggs, which she incubates for about 27-28 days. The male generally leaves the female after she begins incubating the eggs.
Lifecycle Mallard ducklings are precocial, meaning they are relatively mature and mobile shortly after hatching. They follow their mother to water shortly after birth and can feed themselves. The ducklings are able to fly at about 8 weeks of age. Mallards reach sexual maturity by their first year and can live up to 5-10 years in the wild, although predation and hunting can impact their lifespan.