Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Quick answer
The mallard is the most common and widespread wild duck in the world and the ancestor of nearly all domestic ducks. The male has a glossy green head, yellow bill, and chestnut chest, while the female is mottled brown for camouflage. A dabbling duck of lakes, rivers, and city ponds, the mallard adapts to almost any wetland and usually lives 5 to 10 years.
Mallard facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Anas platyrhynchos |
|---|---|
| Diet | Omnivore (plants, seeds, insects, invertebrates) |
| Habitat | Lakes, rivers, marshes, and city ponds |
| Lifespan | 5–10 years in the wild |
| Length | 50–65 cm (20–26 in) |
| Top speed | Up to 88 km/h (55 mph) in flight |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
Where it lives
Wetlands across North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and introduced to other regions worldwide.
Appearance and the eclipse
The drake mallard is striking, with an iridescent green head, white neck ring, chestnut breast, and bright yellow bill, while the hen is mottled brown to stay hidden on the nest. Both show a blue-purple wing patch called a speculum. For a few weeks in summer the male molts into a dull, female-like "eclipse" plumage while he is briefly unable to fly.
Dabbling and diet
Mallards are dabbling ducks, tipping forward in the water with their tails in the air to reach plants and small animals below the surface rather than diving. They are omnivores, eating seeds, aquatic plants, insects, worms, and small invertebrates, and in parks they readily accept food from people, though bread is poor nutrition for them.
Breeding and ducklings
The familiar "quack" most people know is actually the call of the female. Hens build hidden nests near water and lay around a dozen eggs. Ducklings hatch covered in down and able to swim and feed themselves within a day, following their mother to water while she guards them closely from predators.
Habitat and global success
Mallards live across North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa and have been introduced elsewhere, making them one of the most widespread ducks on Earth. They thrive in almost any wetland, from wild marshes to urban park ponds, and their adaptability and willingness to live near people have helped them flourish worldwide.
Frequently asked questions about the Mallard
What do mallards eat?
Mallards are omnivores that eat seeds, aquatic plants, insects, worms, and small invertebrates. They dabble at the surface and tip upside down to reach food rather than diving for it.
What is the difference between male and female mallards?
The male has a glossy green head, yellow bill, and chestnut breast, while the female is mottled brown for camouflage. Both have a blue wing patch, and the classic loud quack comes from the female.
Are mallards the ancestors of domestic ducks?
Yes. Almost all domestic duck breeds, except the Muscovy, descend from the wild mallard, which is why farmyard ducks vary so much in size and color.
Why should you not feed bread to mallards?
Bread fills ducks up without giving them the nutrients they need and can harm their health and water quality. Cracked corn, oats, peas, or duck feed are far better if you want to feed them.
How fast can a mallard fly?
Mallards are strong fliers and can reach speeds of around 88 km/h (55 mph), especially with a tailwind, and they migrate long distances between breeding and wintering grounds.
Where do mallards live?
Mallards live across North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa and have been introduced to other regions. They thrive in nearly any wetland, including lakes, rivers, marshes, and city ponds.
