Mallard

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The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is probably the most easily recognized duck, certainly in Britain and Europe. It is extremely common, being found in almost any situation near fresh water and in winter on sea coasts and estuaries. It is very familiar to visitors to formal parks and water gardens.

The mallard measures about 580 mm (23 inches) in length. The male mallard, in full breeding plumage, has a glossy green head, white collar, dark brown breast and grey back. Females and juveniles are mottled brown. After moulting, males and females are not so easy to tell apart, although the “eclipse” plumage of males is darker than that of females.

Male mallards have a yellow bill with a dark tip, whereas that of females and juveniles can be green, orange or red. Mallards have orange legs.

The familiar loud quack is only given by females, with males having a quiet whistle that is generally only heard during the breeding season.

Mallards usually live in pairs or small flocks and will mix with other surface-feeding ducks. Male mallards will sometimes have two “wives” and are not always faithful even then!

Mallards feed both on land and in the water. In the latter case they are generally surface feeders, but will sometimes up-end to take food from lower down. Plant food includes leaves and shoots of water plants, and cereals on land. Animal food consists of insects and larvae, and small fish.

If the weather is mild, breeding may start as early as February. A nest is usually constructed among vegetation such as nettles or a hedge bottom, but they do sometimes nest in trees. A typical nest consists of grass and small twigs lined with down.

Up to 14 eggs can be laid, these being incubated entirely by the female, with the male playing no part in raising the young. Hatching takes place after about 28 days, with the chicks being able to dive and feed themselves very soon afterwards. They are completely independent at 50 days.

Mallards generally only raise one brood, although they may try again if a clutch is destroyed.