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Mallard

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Abundant
Habitat: Wetland
Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)

A hardy, adaptable bird that is undoubtedly the most abundant wild duck in the world. The male is unmistakable, with an iridescent green head, chestnut breast, light-gray body, white tail, and yellow bill. The female is mottled yellowish-brown with white tail feathers and a dark brown bill. Both male and female have a purplish-blue, white-bordered wing mark. Mallards are strong fliers and are exceptionally fast for their size, reaching speeds of 40 mph. It is a noisy species that inhabits most wetlands, including parks, ponds, and rivers.

Diet

Mallards consume a wide variety of foods, including vegetation, insects, worms, gastropods and arthropods

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Chordata
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Class: Aves
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Order: Anseriformes
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Family: Anatidae
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Genus: Anas
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Species: Anas platyrhynchos

Scientific Name

Anas platyrhynchos
Breeding Season
October-March
Nesting Season
Early spring
Migration Pattern
Groups in more northern parts of range migrate further south for winter

Behavior

After the breeding season, mallards form flocks and migrate from northern latitudes to warmer southern areas. There they wait and feed until the breeding season starts again. Some mallards, however, may choose to stay through the winter in areas where food and shelter are abundant; these mallards make up a resident populations. The mallard usually feeds by dabbling for plant food or grazing.

Ecological Role

Unlike many waterfowl, mallards have benefited from human alterations to the world – so much so that they are now considered an invasive species in some regions.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Wetland

Geographic Distribution

The mallard is widely distributed across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres; in North America its range extends from southern and central Alaska to Mexico, and the Hawaiian Islands.

Local Abundance

Abundant

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife

Additional Notes

The standard duck’s quack is the sound of a female Mallard. Males don’t quack; they make a quieter, rasping sound.

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Have you spotted this species? Your observations help us track populations and understand behavior patterns.

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