Mallard - Photos by Bruce Dayton - Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

ORDER: Anseriformes
FAMILY: Anatidae (Ducks and Geese - 52 Species)
SUB-FAMILY: Anatinae
SPECIES: Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Mallard
The Mallards are exceptionally fast flyers for their size, reaching speeds of 40 mph. Mallards frequently interbreed with other wild species, such as the Black Duck, Pintail and with domesticated species, leading to various hybrids. They are the most abundant duck in the world.
SIZE	Large (18-26"), common dabbling duck.
DESCRIPTION	The male is unmistakable, with an iridescent green head, gray body and a yellow bill with a black tip. The female has a sandy body with orange beak and a bright blue speculum (patch) with white outline on upper wings.
NESTING	Clutch size ranges from 6-14 eggs, which are incubated in 25 to 30 days after clutch is complete. They build a nest on the ground of grass, leaves and sedge near a body of water in dense vegetation.
RANGE	They're found throughout the United States and Canada during the breeding season.
HABITAT	They habitat lakes, rivers, small ponds, wetlands and flooded farm fields.
DIET	Their diet is mostly vegetarian, consisting mainly of seeds of grasses, pondweeds, aquatic plants and corn or grains along with a some insects, worms, small fish, frogs and various kinds of shellfish.
CLICK HERE FOR DUCK TOPOGRAPHY

INTERESTING FACTS

Male or Female Duck

The males (drakes) are usually the brightly colored ones while the females (ducks) are usually dull-colored and brown in color. The dull colors of the duck acts as camouflage to help them hide from their enemies, especially when they are nesting. The males use their colorful plumage to attract females.

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.




Stewart Park - Tompkins County Ithaca, New York	Glimmerglass State Park New York State Park


Mlrd_068A_001063	Mlrd_068A_038574




Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Seneca County, New York


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Female	Male

	Mallard Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes