Mallard: where and when to see them

The mallard is a widespread dabbling duck native to much of the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs along all seven featured rivers: the Columbia, Mississippi, Danube, Douro, Rhine, Saône and Seine. Its adaptability allows it to thrive in natural wetlands as well as city waterways and park ponds. Males in breeding plumage have a glossy green head, while females are mottled brown. The mallard is the principal wild ancestor of most domestic duck breeds.

Size

50–65 cm long; wingspan 81–98 cm.

Weight

Usually 0.7–1.6 kg.

Lifespan

Often 5–10 years in the wild, though many die young; some individuals exceed 20 years.

Status

Least Concern (IUCN).

Mallards commonly feed by dabbling at the surface or tipping forward to reach food underwater. They can dive, but do not normally rely on diving to forage. Outside the breeding season, they often gather in flocks, sometimes alongside other duck species. Pair formation frequently begins in autumn or winter, before spring nesting. The female usually builds a concealed nest on the ground, incubates the eggs and cares for the ducklings without help from the male. Ducklings leave the nest soon after hatching and feed themselves under their mother's protection. Adults replace their flight feathers after breeding and temporarily become flightless. Northern populations often migrate, while birds in milder areas may remain locally throughout the year.

• The familiar loud quack is chiefly the female's call; males give quieter, rasping calls.
• Breeding-plumaged males have distinctive curled feathers above the tail.
• Ducklings can swim soon after hatching.
• Mallards can spring directly into flight from the water.

Wildlife opportunities depend on the river reach, water levels and species. River-specific viewing months have not been confirmed; general species seasons are not a local sighting forecast.

Mallards use rivers, lakes, marshes, ponds and other shallow wetlands. Along large rivers, they often favour sheltered margins, backwaters, side channels and adjoining floodplain pools rather than fast-flowing water. Vegetated banks provide cover and nesting opportunities, while shallow water offers accessible feeding areas. They also occupy urban waterfronts, reservoirs and agricultural landscapes where suitable water is available. During winter, they may concentrate on ice-free stretches of rivers and other open water.

Mallards are omnivorous, eating seeds, aquatic vegetation, insects, snails, crustaceans and other small animals. Their diet varies with season and local availability, with plant material often especially important in autumn and winter. Ducklings depend heavily on small invertebrates during early growth. Mallards also forage on land for grain and seeds.

Common name

Mallard

Scientific name

Anas platyrhynchos

Animal group

Birds

Size

50–65 cm long; wingspan 81–98 cm.

Weight

Usually 0.7–1.6 kg.

Lifespan

Often 5–10 years in the wild, though many die young; some individuals exceed 20 years.

Status

Least Concern (IUCN).

Identification

A male in breeding plumage has a glossy green head, yellow bill, narrow white neck ring, chestnut breast and pale grey body. Females are mottled brown, with a dark eye stripe and an orange-and-dark bill. Both sexes show a blue-violet wing patch, called a speculum, bordered with white, especially conspicuous in flight. In late summer, males acquire a duller eclipse plumage resembling the female's, although their bills generally remain yellowish.