Mallard
Common Name:
Mallard
Class: Aves
Order:
Anseriformes
Family:
Anatidae
Genus:
Anas
Species:
Anas platyrhynchos
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photo M. Noonan |
Taxonomy/Description
The Mallard is
in the family Anatidae. This family is made up of ducks and
duck-like waterfowl. The members of this family share adaptations
to life on the water including webbed feet, flattened bills, and
feathers with special oils to prevent water absorption. The family
Anatidae is broken up into three subfamilies of which the Mallard is
included in Anatinae. This subfamily is comprised of dabbling
ducks. This means they feed by inverting their body on the surface
of the water instead of diving. This group is also characterized by
its gregarious nature and ability to move well on land. The
Mallard’s Latin name,
Anas
platyrhynchos,
can be translated to mean “broad-billed duck.” This references its
wide bill, which is common to many members of the family Anatidae.
The Mallard is a dichromatic species. This means that the male and
female have different colorations. The male Mallard has a shiny
green head with a yellow bill and white neck ring. It also has a
gray body with a chestnut chest, blue-purple speculum, and white
tail. Its legs and feet are orange. The female Mallard is mottled
brown in color with a blue-purple speculum and white tail. Its legs
and feet are orange and its bill is orange with a brown saddle.
Habitat/Diet
The Mallard can
be found marshes, lakes, ponds, streams, and swamps. It is one of
the most common ducks and can be found in almost any temperate or
sub-tropical region in the world. It is native to North America and
Eurasia, but can also be found in Australia, Africa, Central
America, the Caribbean, and New Zealand. The Mallard migrates from
its northern breeding range to a wintering range that can extend far
south. In North America, the Mallard will breed from Alaska and
Quebec to the southern United States and northern Mexico. Its
wintering range extends from the United States to the West Indies
and Central America. The Mallard is an omnivore that has very
generalist tastes. This means that the Mallard will eat a variety
of different foods. During the breeding season, the Mallard will
consume mostly animal foods such as insects, aquatic invertebrates,
and earthworms. When it is not breeding, it consists on seeds,
acorns, aquatic vegetation, corn, and wheat. Mallards who live in
urban areas may also fully depend on human food such as bread and
seeds to survive the winter.
photo M. Noonan Behavior/Reproduction
The Mallard is a dabbling duck
that can run and walk on land with agility. They are extremely
social animals that can be aggressive. During the winter, the
Mallard is territorial and will show aggression over resting areas
with other Mallards as well as American Black Ducks. In the
breeding season, the male will defend its mate. Mallards are prey
for Red Fox, Coyote, Raccoon, and the Great Horned Owl. Ducklings
are also prey for fish, Snapping Turtles, and Black Crowned Night
Herons. When a predator is close, the Mallard will defend itself
using persistent quacking, mobbing, and faking death. In
preparation for the breeding season, pair bonds are formed each year
on the wintering grounds. The Mallard is largely monogamous, but
males will force extra-pair copulations. The female will create a
nest in upland areas near the water. The nest is made up of what
the female can reach while sitting on the nesting area. This
usually includes grass, leaves, twigs, and other plant litter. The
clutch includes 1-13 eggs that are smooth ovals with a creamy, gray,
or greenish buff color. The eggs are incubated for 23-30 days and
the hatchlings will leave the nest with their mother the morning
after hatching. The female Mallard will stay with her brood until
the ducklings can fly.
photo M. Noonan
Vocalizations:
A very generic
"quack".
Where to see them in WNY
The Mallard is a
very successful duck that can exist almost anywhere there is open
water. Look for then in marshes, parks, ponds, rivers, and lakes
around Western New York. Mallards are also common in wetlands so
look for them in local marshes such as those in the Iroquois
National Wildlife Refuge.
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