Geese, Ducks, Mergansers

Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos

Family Anatidae (Geese, Ducks, Mergansers)

Size: 23"

Season: Year-round

Habitat: Virtually any water environment, parks, urban areas

The ubiquitous mallard is the most abundant duck in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a classic dabbling duck, plunging its head into the water with its tail up, searching for aquatic plants, animals, and snails, although it will also eat worms, seeds, insects, and even mice. Noisy and quacking, it is heavy but is a strong flier. The male has a dark head with green or blue iridescence, a white neck ring, and a large yellow bill. The underparts are pale, with a chestnut-brown breast. The female is plain brownish with buff scalloped markings, a dark eye line, and an orangey bill with a dark center. The speculum is blue on both sexes, and the tail coverts often curl upward. Mallards form huge floating flocks called “rafts.” To achieve flight, it lifts straight into the air without running. The breeding female (top) and breeding male (bottom) are illustrated.