The mallard is the largest of all ducks and is a common sight on lakes and ponds. It is one of the most numerous and widespread of all bird species. Most mallards feed by searching underwater for food – by dabbling or upending themselves. But they can also be found grazing on land, like geese. Archaeological evidence suggests that mallards were bred by ancient Egyptians, possibly even before the chicken was domesticated.

Habitat:
The mallard is one of the most widespread of all bird species. It is found in a variety of habitats throughout much of the northern hemisphere. Although it prefers still and shallow inland waterways, such as ponds, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and marshes, the mallard may also be found on the sea, particularly during its winter migration. Most ducks are wary by nature. Yet one of the mallards most interesting characteristics is its willingness to live close to human populations. The male mallard has distinctive markings.

Breeding: Large numbers of mallards pair off in August to mate, although migrating birds may not mate until spring. The birds usually pair for just one season, but occasionally the same birds mate again in subsequent years. Mating takes place on the water at regular intervals between September and March. A pair separates when the female begins incubating. The male, called a drake, may then try to mate with other females. The large winter flocks begin to break up in February as pairs look for breeding sites around which they establish a home range. Once a site is selected, the female makes a cup shaped nest and lines it with grass, as well as with feathers she plucks from her breast. The nest is usually on the ground, although some are in hollow trees or on the roofs of buildings.

The female lays 10 to 12 eggs that she incubates. The male behaves protectively toward the eggs at first, but he soon loses interest and goes off to feed with other males. Once the young hatch, the female leads them to water and watches over them. Despite her care, more than 50 percent of the ducklings are eaten by foxes, weasels, rats, pike, and predatory birds. The drably colored female watches over her eggs. Female mallard with ducklings, displaying her speculum (patch of color).

Food and Feeding: Mallards eat a wide range of food. They feed by dabbling in the water: sifting water through their broad and flat bills to filter out tiny plant and animal material. They also feed by grazing underwater and on land. To reach submerged vegetation, mallards upend themselves, rather than dive, so that their bodies remain on the surface of the water, while their heads and necks are stretched below the surface. For this reason they prefer shallow water.
Throughout the year mallards eat a variety of food, including grains, grasses, potatoes, insects, mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish. Their varied diet allows them to eat what is available. A mallard upends itself. A mallard dabbles.

Bird watch: Mallards are found year round in their habitat. The males distinctive markings make him easy to spot in the summer: bright green head, brown breast, blue and white speculum, pale gray belly, and white ring around his neck. Females are harder to find because of their dull, mottled brown coloration. In the winter males molt into their eclipse plumage and resemble females.

Key Facts: Sizes, Breeding, Lifestyle, and Related Species

Sizes:
Length: 20-25 in.
Wingspan: 30-40 in.
Weight: Male, 44 oz. Female, 38 oz.

Breeding:
Sexual Maturity: 1 year
Mating Season: March
No. of broods: 1
Eggs: 10-12 gray green or buff colored (occasionally blue)
Incubation: 27-28 days
Fledging period: 50-60 days

Lifestyle:
Diet: Plant material, seeds, shoots, insects, and mollusks
Habit: Sociable
Life span: Oldest recorded, 29 years

Related Species: There are 45 species and 58 subspecies related to the mallard.
Distribution: Widespread throughout northern hemisphere. Breeds through most of North America, Asia, and throughout Europe. Winters in southern part of range.
Conservation: Despite being widely hunted, mallards are not endangered. The species’ adaptability and willingness to live alongside man may guarantee its survival.

The Mallards Descendants:
Aylesbury, Khaki Campbell, Pekin, Indian Runner, and Rouen
All varieties of domestic duck are descended from the mallard, expect for the South American muscovy, Cairina moschata. Many of the domesticated species of duck retain clearly visible mallard features, such as the curly tail in all domestic drakes and the bottle green head and white collar visible among the drakes of the Rouen and Welsh harlequin varieties. Other mallards display a wide variety of colors and characteristics.

Did You Know:
Only female mallards quack – males whistle and grunt.
Mallards have a distinctive patch of color on their wings called a speculum.
Ducklings born in nests above ground must jump out to reach water. They are so light that they often fall 10 feet or more without harm.
The mallard is a popular game bird, and hunters shoot thousands of the ducks yearly.
Some species of mallard interbreed with domestic species of duck.
It is believed that the mallard was the first domesticated bird, predating even the chicken

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