Mallard (Anus platyrhynchos) Linnaeus, 1758
Family: Anatidae.
Length: 50 to 65cm Wingspan: 81 to 95cm Weight 0.75 to 1.5KG
Lifespan: 15 to 25 years.
The Mallard is the main ancestor of most breeds of domesticated ducks, this duck occurs
almost anywhere in Europe, even in the far northern countries of Iceland and Scandinavia.
Habitat: Almost anywhere within easy reach of any kind of water, in towns, to the most remote places like moorland pools. In winter time less on open sea waters, often found then on estuarine salt marshes.
A very common duck worldwide and to be considered to be a species of less concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This duck will be the one most often seen in Parks, lakes and rivers coming for bread. Has a strong fast wingbeat, flying mainly in groups of other mallard ducks.
The Mallard is omnivorous and has a very wide range diet, consisting of small aquatic invertebrates, small fish, worms, seeds, roots, plant matter,
Mallards prefer to congregate in groups and flocks of varies sizes.
Nesting: A down-lined nest on the ground or off the ground in a tree hole. Female lays between nine to thirteen creamy white to greenish-buff spotless eggs on alternate days, taking around twenty-seven to twenty-eight days to hatch. The ducklings are precocial and are able to swim as soon as they hatch, one brood raised in a year January to August. The fledging’s take up-to sixty days to mature.
Voice: The Male duck with the distinguishable florescent green neck and head has a quite whistle, where the female gives a more loud, raucous “quark” “quark”.
The Mallard is one of the most common varieties of ducks to be hunted as a sport. In certain countries it may be legally shot, in the United Kingdom it is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The fox is one of the main predators of the Mallard duck, picking mainly on brooding females. The Herring Gull, Crows and larger birds of prey are continuous predators to the Mallard Duck.