Mallards are the most familiar of all ducks and are the ancestor of the domestic duck.

Life span
Up to 20 years in captivity.

Statistics
Length 50-60cm, Wingspan: 81-95cm.

Physical description
The breeding male (drake) of this species is a very distinctive and easily recognised bird. The body is black, grey and white, the rump is black and the tail feathers are white. The drake's head is dark iridescent green that shines bluish in some lights. The wings are grey, white and black and have bars of iridescent green on them. Females (hens) are light brown with darker brown patches on some of the feathers. They also have the iridescent bars on the wings. During the summer, the drakes moult and take on the same coloration as the hens. The chicks are brown and yellow.

Distribution
They are very common over most of Europe. They are also found in parts of Asia, Africa and North America.

Habitat
They inhabit parks, canals, rivers, ponds, lakes, woodland and gardens.

Diet
Mallards feed on small plants and animals.

Behaviour
Mallards feed by leaning forward into the water so that their tails stick upwards and their necks stretch down into the water. This is called ‘dabbling’. While submerged, the ducks will feed on the small plants and animals they find there. Mallards feed both day and night. Semi-domesticated mallards are common in parks and villages around ponds and rivers. These ducks are very tame and feeding them scraps of bread is a popular activity among both children and adults. Mallards are able to take off from water quite steeply using their wings to push against the surface to help launch them. They are also able to land at quite a steep angle and this allows them to land in relatively small bodies of water. Most mallards in Europe are resident, except in the North and East where they migrate in winter to avoid ice.

Reproduction
The nest is typically built on land and is lined with feathers. The female lays 6-14 grey-green eggs and incubates them unaided by the male. The eggs are laid every few days until the brood is complete. Chicks hatch after 26 days and will follow the mother into the water as soon as their feathers have dried.

Conservation status
Mallards are not listed by the IUCN Red List.

Voice
Mallard ducks make a very familiar ‘quack’ noise. The drake's call is louder and higher pitched than the female’s.

Notes
Most domestic ducks (with the exception of the Muscovy duck) are descended from mallard ducks. Many domesticated ducks have interbred with wild ducks and it is quite difficult to find a pure mallard.

Records
Undoubtedly the most abundant duck in the world.