Mallards are the most common duck in North America
I took this photo while kayaking on Eagle Creek Reservoir. You can often see mallards while at this park. On this day, I was on the far north end of the reservoir when I came across these two. This pair is made up of both a male and a female. Let's learn more about this colorful species of duck.
Mallards are the most common and familiar ducks in North America. They are dabbling ducks which means they mostly feed on the surface of the water. Mallards can be found near bodies of water such as ponds, lakes, marshes, and rivers. They eat a variety of things including seeds, aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish. Mallards can reach a length of up to 24 inches and they weigh between two and four pounds.
What do they look like?
Male mallards have a green head with a black crown and white collar. Their body is mostly a brownish-gray color with some black feathers scattered throughout. Females have a light brown head with patches of darker brown feathers. Their body is also light brown with some streaks of darker coloration. The difference between male and female mallards is that the male has a bright yellow bill while the female has a duller green bill.
Mallards are monogamous birds and they mate for life. The male and female will build a nest together out of grass, weeds, and other materials. They will then lay anywhere from four to twelve eggs. The eggs will hatch in about three weeks and the ducklings will stay with their parents for another two or three months.
They are monogamous birds
Mallards are invasive to New Zealand
Mallards can be found in most parts of North America except for the very northernmost parts of the continent. They are also found in parts of Europe, Asia, and South America. mallards are considered an invasive species in New Zealand where they have caused some ecological damage. Overall, mallards are very adaptable birds and can thrive in a variety of habitats. They are a great example of how species can adapt and thrive in the face of human disturbance.
Did you know?
- Mallard ducks can fly up to 55 miles per hour! That's as fast as the speed limit on some highways!
- Mallards can live for up to 10 years in the wild. The oldest ever mallard duck in the wild was 27 years and 7 months old. It was originally banded in Louisiana in 1981 before eventually being found in Arkansas in 2008.
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