Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Genus · Mallards, Pintails, and Allies Family · Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Observation tips Difficulty: EASY

Best time

🕒 Any

Activity

☀️ Diurnal

Best months

Observation habitat

Lake wetlandsRiverUrban

Widespread and easy to find. Look for the blue wing patch with white borders, which is present in both males and females.

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats

Wingspan81–98 cm

Weight720–1600 g

Length50–65 cm

Lifespan wild5–10 yrs

Size

Nesting

Nest typeScrape

Clutch size8–13 eggs

Incubation27–28 days

Breeding months

Regional Status (Europe)

Least Concern (Europe)

IUCN Red List

MigrationPartial migratory

Social BehaviourFlocking

Diet: Omnivore

🌻Seeds

🍃Plants

🦗Insects

🪱Worms

🐚Mollusks

🦀Crustaceans

🐸Amphibians

Habitat

🛶 Lake wetlands🌊 Marine🏞️ River🏙️ Urban

✦ Fun Fact

After the breeding season, mallards undergo a complete molt, during which they temporarily lose the ability to fly and become extremely cautious.

About

The most familiar and widespread duck in the world. It lives in almost every wetland habitat, from mountain lakes to city ponds. It is the ancestor of nearly all domestic duck breeds. Mallards are highly adaptable and thrive near human populations. Northern populations migrate south to avoid ice, but many stay in Europe year-round.

Behaviour

Mallards are social and vocal. As dabbling ducks, they feed on the surface or tip forward to reach plants underwater. Females produce the iconic loud 'quack'. Males have a softer, raspy call. They typically nest on the ground near water, but sometimes use hollow trees or even balconies.