Male mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) are easily recognized by their iridescent green heads, narrow white neck rings, and bright yellow bills. Weighing between 0.9 and 1.4 kg with a wingspan up to 95 cm, these dabbling ducks are also famous for their curled black tail feathers.
Key Physical & Behavioral Facts
Identification: Drakes (males) have a rich chestnut-brown breast, pale grey flanks, and bright orange legs. Both sexes feature a striking purple-blue speculum (wing patch) bordered by white.
Vocalization: Unlike females, which make the classic loud quack, male mallards are much quieter, producing soft raspy notes or short whistles, particularly during courtship.
Diet & Foraging: As omnivorous dabblers, they feed on aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and small fish by tipping forward in shallow water to forage. They do not dive completely underwater.
Flight: Mallards are incredibly strong fliers, reaching speeds up to 88 km/h (55 mph) during migration.
Ancestry: The mallard is the ancestor of nearly all domestic duck breeds (excluding the Muscovy duck).
Breeding & Lifecycle
Courtship: Males perform elaborate displays, including head-pumping, wing-shaking, and whistling to attract females during the breeding season.
Parenting: Male mallards are strictly monogamous during the breeding season but do not assist with incubation or raising the ducklings; they leave these duties entirely to the female and gather in bachelor flocks to molt.
