"Mallard Duck" (Anas platyrhynchos)

"male"

"female"

"juvenile"

	Mallard "drake" Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Mallard "hen" with "ducklings" Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Mallard "hen" with "ducklings" Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Mallard hen "sleeping" Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Mallard "duckling" Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Mallard "drake" Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
height=100 width=150>	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Mallard "eggs" Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	"rouen" Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	"rouen" Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	"rouen" Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Mallard "drake" with Ring Teal pair Photograph by © Ski S. Diverscreek Waterfowl
	Mallard "drake" and Muscovy "hen" with "Muscovy ducklings" Photograph by © Stefanie Frischknecht

Mallards are familiar in lakes and ponds. They return to place of birth. Both male and female have white tails and white underwings. Black central tail feathers of male curl upward. Male has iridescent green head; yellow bill; chestnut breast. White neck-ring can be hidden or exposed. Eclipse plumage is like a female's, but with unmarked yellowish bill and reddish-brown breast.





Size: 27-28"

Male: large, bulbous green head, white necklace and rust brown or chestnut-colored chest. A combination of gray and white on sides. Yellow bill, legs and feet.

Female: Brown-streaked; orange bill broadly marked with black in the center; whitish tail feathers.

Nest: ground; female builds: 1 brood per year. Male defends small feeding area in open water while female is building nest. Nest of reeds and grasses lined with down, placed on ground near water.

Eggs: 7-10, pale greenish white

Incubation: 26-30 days; female incubates

Fledging: 42-52 days; female leds young to food

Migration: complete, to southern states, non-migrator in Florida

Food: seeds, plants, aquatic insects.

Voice: Male does not quack; gives "rhaeb, rhaeb: call during aggression and short whistle during courtship. Female quacks in a decrescendo when uneasy or separated from male; gives "quegegege" call during inciting.

In Flight: Dark blue speculum bordered by white; underwings and body the same color.

Habitat: Lakes, rivers, bays, parks.

Display: In inciting display, female follows her mate while repeatedly flicking her bill back over one side of her body. During head-up tail-up display, male stretches head, wing tips, and tail upward, then lowers them.





My personal notes...
There is a cute couple who are Mallards that live on the lake nearby. I've named them Henry and Henrietta...they're very devoted to each other, and have been at this lake for over 3 years. Henry is now the "top bird" at this lake...chasing all newcommers away...or at least, tries to. Henrietta, has layed eggs many times, but has never been successful in having them hatch. Right now, she's sitting on eggs, but if Henry wants to go for a swim...she'll just get up and leave the eggs...she loves Henry more than those eggs I guess.





More information about Mallard Ducks:
"Mallard Ducks Nests, Eggs & Babies"





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Reproduction without permission is strictly forbidden.