Mallard Bird Details
Anas platyrhynchos
Mallard,Wild Duck;
Hariyal Batakh
Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
Anseriformes (DUCKS)
Anatidae
Anas
United States, Canada, Europe (including the UK, France, Germany, etc.), Russia, China, Japan, Africa and India (Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.).
Appearance :
Males (drakes) have a distinctive iridescent green head, yellow bill, and grayish body with a black rear end and a white neck ring. They also have a blue patch bordered by white on their wings (speculum). Females (hens) are predominantly mottled brown with an orange bill and share the same blue wing patch. This coloration helps with camouflage during nesting. Both sexes have orange legs.
Behaviour :
Mallards are highly social birds, forming flocks outside the breeding season. They engage in dabbling—feeding mainly on the water surface or on land. During the breeding season, they pair up, but outside of this, they can be seen in large groups in water bodies.
Habitat :
Mallards are found in a variety of habitats, including freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, wetlands, and even urban parks. They are highly adaptable and can live in both natural and human-made water bodies.
Diet :
Mallards are omnivores, feeding on aquatic plants, insects, small fish, amphibians, seeds, grains, and even bread or other food provided by humans in urban areas. They typically feed by dabbling in shallow water.
Conservation Status :
Least Concern
Distribution :
The Mallard has a wide global distribution across the Northern Hemisphere, found in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. It is one of the most widespread and abundant ducks in the world.
Population Size :
The global population of Mallards is estimated to be over 19 million individuals.
Life Span :
In the wild, Mallards typically live 5 to 15 years.
Body And Tarsus:
- Body: The Mallard is a medium to large-sized duck with a well-proportioned, robust body. Males (drakes) are more colorful with an iridescent green head, while females (hens) are mottled brown. Both sexes have a blue speculum bordered by white on their wings.
- Tarsus Length: The tarsus (the part of the leg between the knee and the foot) is around 38–45 mm long. It is orange in color and helps with mobility in shallow water and on land.
Head And Bill :
- Head: The head of the male Mallard is glossy green with an iridescent sheen. The head of the female is mottled brown, blending with the rest of her body for camouflage.
- Eyes: Mallards have dark brown eyes set on the sides of the head, providing a wide field of vision to detect predators.
- Bill: The bill of male is yellow or sometimes orange. The bill of female is orange with darker blotches.
- Bill Length: The bill length is approximately 45–55 mm, adapted for dabbling and foraging on aquatic plants and small animals.
Length :
Mallards measure about 50 to 65 cm in total length
Neck :
The neck is medium-length and well-proportioned to the body, with the male’s neck adorned with a white collar separating the green head from the grayish body.
Size :
Mallards are medium-sized ducks.
Tail Details :
- Tail: The tail is pointed and slightly upturned. In males, a few of the tail feathers are curled upward, a distinguishing feature. The tail is relatively short compared to the body.
- Tail Length: The tail length is about 7–10 cm.
- Feathers: Males is Brightly colored with a green head, grayish body, and chestnut-brown chest. Males have an iridescent blue speculum on the wings, bordered by white. The plumage of female is a mottled brown to blend in with their environment, providing camouflage while nesting.
Weight :
Mallards typically weigh between 1 to 1.6 kg
Wing :
Mallards have broad, rounded wings that allow them to take off quickly from the water. Their wings are suited for rapid, agile flight.
Wing Span :
The wingspan of the Mallard ranges from 81 to 95 cm.
Facial Feature :
Males have a distinctive iridescent green head with a white ring around the neck. Their bill is yellow. Females have a more camouflaged mottled brown appearance, with an orange and black bill. Both sexes have a blue speculum bordered by white on their wings.
Nest Details :
- Nest: The Mallard builds its nest on the ground, usually near water bodies, such as lakes, ponds, marshes, and rivers. Nests are often concealed in tall grass, reeds, or bushes to provide protection from predators.
- Nest Made Up Of: The nest is made of plant material like grass, reeds, and leaves. The female lines it with her own down feathers to provide warmth and insulation for the eggs.
Breeding Season :
The Mallard's breeding season begins in late winter to early spring,
Nesting Season :
Nesting usually occurs in spring, from March to July.
Egg Color :
Mallard eggs are typically pale green to off-white in color.
Egg Length :
The average egg length is approximately 55–65 mm.
Egg Width and Weight :
- Egg Width: The egg width typically ranges from 40–46 mm.
- Egg Weight: Each egg weighs around 50 to 58 grams.
Clutch Size :
A typical clutch size ranges from 8 to 13 eggs, though some females may lay up to 15 eggs.
No. of Broods :
Mallards usually have 1 brood per season, but in some cases, they may raise 2 broods if the first brood is lost early in the season.
Incubation Period :
The incubation period is typically 26 to 28 days.
Nestling Period :
Mallard ducklings are precocial, meaning they are able to walk, swim, and feed themselves within hours of hatching. hey stay under the mother's care for about 50 to 60 days until they can fly.
Vocalization :
Females (hens) are more vocal and are known for their loud, repetitive quacking. Males (drakes) produce a softer, rasping call or low whistles.
Sex Demorphism :
Males has bright, iridescent green head, chestnut-brown chest, and grayish body. Female has Dull, mottled brown plumage .
Migration Details :
- Migration Pattern: Mallards are partially migratory. While some populations in temperate regions remain year-round residents, others migrate to avoid colder winters. Northern populations from Europe, North America, and Asia typically migrate southward during the winter months to find food and water, returning north in spring to breed.
- Migration Period: The migration period is typically during autumn (October–November) and spring (March–April), depending on the region and climatic conditions.
- Migration Route: In North America, Mallards migrate from northern regions such as Canada and the northern United States to the southern U.S. and Mexico during winter. In Europe and Asia, Mallards migrate from regions like Scandinavia, Russia, and other northern areas to southern Europe, North Africa, and South Asia for the winter.