Mallard

The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck in the family Anatidae. It is native to Eurasia and parts of North Africa but has been introduced widely elsewhere, and it now occurs on every continent except Antarctica. It is among the most common and recognizable ducks and is the wild ancestor of most domestic ducks.

Adult males, or drakes, have a glossy iridescent green head, a white neck ring, chestnut-brown chest, gray body, and a blue-purple wing speculum; females are mottled brown with an orange bill. Juveniles resemble females. In size, mallards typically measure 50–65 cm in length with a wingspan of about 80–100 cm and a body weight around 0.8–1.4 kg.

Mallards inhabit a wide range of wetland habitats, including ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes, and irrigated farmland. They are highly adaptable and frequently occur in urban parks and canals. They feed mainly by dabbling at the water surface or tipping up to reach vegetation, seeds, grains, and invertebrates; their diet varies with season and availability.

Breeding occurs in spring. Males perform courtship displays to attract females. Nests are built on the ground near water and are lined with down. A typical clutch contains about 6–13 eggs, which hatch after roughly 23–29 days of incubation; the female raises the ducklings with little male involvement.

The mallard is widespread and abundant, listed as Least Concern by conservation organizations. It readily hybridizes with related duck species, and domestic ducks are descended from wild mallards.