Mallard Duck

The Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is a species of duck that is found in wetlands across the Northern Hemisphere. It is one of the most common and recognizable ducks in the world.

The male Mallard has a striking, iridescent green head, a yellow bill, and a gray body. The female is a mottled brown, which provides excellent camouflage.

Mallards are dabbling ducks, meaning they feed by tipping their bodies upside down to reach for plants and insects in the water. They are a highly adaptable species, thriving in both wild and urban environments.

Mallard Duck

Mallard Duck

Classification

Aves > Anseriformes > Anatidae > Anas > A. platyrhynchos

Native To

Conservation Status

Average Height

1.5 - 2 feet
(0.4 - 0.6 m)

Average Weight

2 - 4 lbs
(0.9 - 1.8 kg)

Average Life Span

5 - 10 years

Gestation Period

28 days

Diet

Omnivore (aquatic plants, insects, seeds)

Social Structure

Flock

Biomes
(And Habitats)

Did You Know?

The Mallard Duck is the ancestor of nearly all domestic duck breeds.

Male Mallard Ducks have a distinctive iridescent green head, a white neck ring, and a chestnut breast.

Mallard Ducks are dabbling ducks, meaning they feed by tipping upside down in the water to reach aquatic vegetation and insects, rather than diving.

They are found in a wide variety of habitats across the Northern Hemisphere, including ponds, lakes, rivers, and even urban parks.

Female Mallard Ducks lay between 8 and 13 eggs, and the ducklings are able to swim and feed themselves shortly after hatching.

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