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Mallard


distribution map

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Species Code: B079

Description: Both sexes have bright orange feet and a purple-blue speculum (a bright blue rectangle of color) with both sides outlined in white at the hind end of the wing where it joins the body. It is easy to tell the males from the female mallards because the male mallards have grayish or brownish feathers, glossy green colored head, white collar around the neck, purple breast, and curly tall feathers. The male has very curly tail feathers. The smaller female is brown, black and white to help her blend in with the vegetation (see photo below). Male Mallard standing

Calls: Female gives a loud series of quacks. Male makes softer, rasping "rab," also a grunt and whistle during display. Wings whistle in flight.
Listen to calls of this species »

Range: The mallard is the best known and possibly most abundant wild duck in the Northern Hemisphere as it is common in North America, Northern Central America, much of Europe, Asia, and America. In summer the mallard can be seen throughout Alaska and much of Canada and northern United States. Nesting takes place primarily in the prairie provinces of Canada.

Male Mallard flying

Click the range map to learn more about the distribution of Mallards in California.

Habitat: Mallards are most likely found on shallow bodies of fresh water, on lakes, marshes and even flooded fields.

Diet: Mallards feed by "dabbling" and upending, meaning that they tip their bodies into water, bill first, tail in the air to reach below the surface with its bill in the shallows of ponds, lakes, streams and swamps. They do not usually dive below the surface, except that young birds or molting (flightless) adults sometimes dive to avoid danger. Their diet consists mainly of seeds of grasses, pondweeds and other aquatic vegetation. They will also eat mollusks, insects, small fish, tadpoles, freshwater snails, fish eggs, and frogs.

Nesting: A mallard hen (female) lays one egg per day and produces between five and 14 light green eggs. She will incubate the eggs for about 26-28 days before they hatch. The ducklings are lead to water as soon as their soft, downy feathers are dry and they first fly about 2 months after hatching.

Behavior: They swim with their tail held above the water and, when they are alarmed, they spring directly out of the water and into the air. The sudden flight of Mallards can make quite a spectacular sight.

Did you know?

  • Although mallard ducks have been known to live as long as sixteen years of age, most of them only live for one or two years.
  • A group of mallard ducks on the ground is call a "sord", but when in flight, it is called a "flock".

Male Mallard swimming


Male Mallard

Female Mallard

Mallard Silhouette

Mallard Tracks
by J. Wernet, age 12

photos by Tim Knight and Natures Pics

Animal silhouettes available to purchase »

More Information:
Boreal Songbird Initiative: Mallard

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