Quick answer
The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is the familiar puddle duck of ponds, rivers, marshes, and parks across much of the world. Males sport a glossy green head, while females are mottled brown; both weigh around 0.7 to 1.4 kg (1.5 to 3.1 lb). Mallards are dabbling omnivores that feed at the water's surface and are strong fliers, reaching up to 80 km/h (50 mph). Common and widespread, they are listed as Least Concern and live around 5 to 10 years in the wild.
Top questions about the Mallard
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Mallard facts at a glance
- Weight 1.2 kg
- Length 60 cm
- Top speed 80 km/h
- Lifespan 10 years
| Scientific name | Anas platyrhynchos |
|---|---|
| Diet | Omnivore — plants, seeds, invertebrates, and grain |
| Habitat | Ponds, rivers, marshes, and parks worldwide |
| Lifespan | 5–10 years in the wild |
| Weight | 0.7–1.4 kg (1.5–3.1 lb); drakes slightly larger |
| Top speed | Up to 80 km/h (50 mph) in flight |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
Where it lives
The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is native to Mallard native across Eurasia and North America; introduced to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America. — recorded across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a mallard?
An adult mallard measures 60 cm long — about 35% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 1.2 kg, about 2% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of mallards called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Mallards is called a raft.
Baby name
A baby Mallard is called a duckling.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Appearance and identification
The mallard is one of the most recognisable ducks in the world, thanks to the drake's iridescent bottle-green head, white neck ring, and chestnut breast. The female, or hen, is mottled brown, which camouflages her on the nest, but both sexes share a bright blue wing patch called the speculum, bordered with white. Adults measure around 0.6 m (about 2 ft) in length and weigh roughly 0.7 to 1.4 kg (1.5 to 3.1 lb), with drakes slightly larger. In late summer the drake moults into a drab "eclipse" plumage that briefly resembles the female.
Feeding and behaviour
Mallards are dabbling ducks, feeding at or just below the water's surface rather than diving. They up-end, tail in the air, to reach plants, seeds, and invertebrates on the bottom, and will also graze on land and take grain from fields. As opportunistic omnivores, they readily accept food from people in parks, though bread is poor nutrition for them. Their broad bill is fringed with comb-like plates that strain small food items from water and mud.
Breeding and ducklings
Mallards usually pair up in autumn and winter, and the hen builds a down-lined nest on the ground near water, often well hidden in vegetation. She lays a clutch of around 8 to 13 eggs and incubates them alone for about 28 days. The ducklings are precocial, leaving the nest within a day of hatching to follow their mother to water and feed themselves straight away. They fledge at around two months old, though many fall prey to pike, herons, and other predators before then.
Flight and migration
Despite their waddling gait on land, mallards are powerful, fast fliers, capable of reaching up to 80 km/h (50 mph) on strong, rapid wingbeats. In colder regions many mallards are migratory, moving south to escape frozen water in winter, while populations in milder climates stay put year-round. They typically fly in loose groups and can take off almost vertically from the water when startled. This flying ability lets them exploit a huge range of wetlands across the seasons.
Range and relationship with people
Mallards are found across ponds, rivers, marshes, and city parks throughout the Northern Hemisphere and have been introduced widely elsewhere. Highly adaptable, they thrive alongside people and are among the most familiar wild birds in towns and cities. They are also the ancestor of most domestic duck breeds, from the white Aylesbury to the call duck. Because they are so numerous and widespread, the IUCN lists the mallard as Least Concern.
Dig deeper into the Mallard
- Mallard: Key Facts
The mallard is the ancestor of most domestic ducks and the world's most recognisable wild duck, weighing about 1.2 kg and flying 80 km/h.
- How Fast Is A Mallard?
Mallard top speed is up to about 80 km/h (50 mph) in flight. Sprint vs endurance and what limits pace.
- How Long Do Mallards Live?
Mallard lifespan is typically 5–10 years in the wild. What shortens or extends life, life stages, and status (Least Concern).
- What Do Mallards Eat?
What mallards eat: Omnivore — plants, seeds, invertebrates, and grain, foraging style, and seasonal shifts in Ponds, rivers, marshes, and parks worldwide.
- Where Do Mallards Live?
Where mallards live: Ponds, rivers, marshes, and parks worldwide, native range cues, and human overlap. Status Least Concern.
Explore the Mallard
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Related Birds
Did you know? Mallard facts
- Mallards are the ancestor of most domestic ducks and the most recognisable wild duck worldwide.
- A duckling — a group on water is a raft.
- Females quack; males make softer raspy calls.
- Conservation: Least Concern.
Diet & feeding
Mallard feeds primarily as a plants, seeds, invertebrates. Mallards interbreed with domestic ducks, creating varied park hybrids.
Adaptations
- Mallards interbreed with domestic ducks, creating varied park hybrids.
- Northern populations migrate south; many urban mallards stay year-round.
Behaviour & ecology
- Mallards interbreed with domestic ducks, creating varied park hybrids.
- Northern populations migrate south; many urban mallards stay year-round.
Communication
- Mallard uses calls and visual displays to communicate territory, alarm, and breeding status.
- Vocal repertoires vary by species and are often learned or refined during development.
Habitat & range
Ponds, rivers, and parks worldwide
Ecological role
Mallard contributes to seed dispersal, insect control, or nutrient cycling depending on diet and foraging habits.
Conservation status of the Mallard
The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Mallard
How fast can a mallard fly?
Mallards are strong fliers and can reach speeds of up to about 80 km/h (50 mph) in the air. They fly on rapid wingbeats and can take off almost vertically from the water when alarmed.
What is the difference between a male and female mallard?
The male, or drake, has an iridescent green head, a white neck ring, and a chestnut breast, while the female is mottled brown for camouflage. Both share a blue wing patch called the speculum, and drakes are slightly larger.
What do mallards eat?
Mallards are omnivores that eat water plants, seeds, invertebrates, and grain. They are dabbling ducks, feeding at the surface or up-ending to reach food underwater rather than diving, and they will also graze on land.
How long do mallards live?
Wild mallards typically live around 5 to 10 years, though many die young to predators. Occasional individuals live considerably longer, and ringed birds have been recorded at well over 20 years.
Are mallards endangered?
No. Mallards are extremely common and widespread, and the IUCN lists them as Least Concern. They adapt easily to human environments and are among the most familiar wild ducks in the world.
Where do mallards build their nests?
Mallard hens usually nest on the ground near water, hidden in vegetation, lining a shallow scrape with down. The hen lays around 8 to 13 eggs and incubates them alone for about 28 days before the ducklings hatch.
What is a group of mallards called?
A group of Mallards is called a raft.
What is a baby mallard called?
A baby Mallard is called a duckling.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Mallard:
-
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Anas platyrhynchos.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Anas platyrhynchos. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Anas platyrhynchos. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for Mallard. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
- IUCN Red List — Anas platyrhynchos.
Conservation status (Least Concern) and population trends.
- Animal Diversity Web — Anas platyrhynchos. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Life history, morphology, and range.
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