Birds › Lake and wetland › Mallard

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Almost every breed of domestic duck in the world descends from the Mallard.

Where to see it for real: Please do not feed ducks bread: cracked corn, oats or peas are much better for them.

Spot it in the game

Lives in the Lake and wetland habitat (North American lakes and marshes).

Mallard facts

Family

Ducks, geese and swans

Length

23 in (58 cm)

Wingspan

35 in (90 cm)

Weight

2.4 lb (1.1 kg)

Diet

Seeds, water plants, snails and insects.

Range

Across North America, Europe and Asia; introduced in Australia and New Zealand.

Nest

A bowl of grass lined with down, on the ground near water.

Song

The classic loud "quack" is the female; males give a quieter, raspy call.

Active

at dawn, by day and at dusk

Status

Least Concern on the IUCN Red List: widespread and not at risk.

What the Mallard sounds like

How to attract the Mallard

Feeder foods, favorite first: millet. Feeders that hold them: tube feeder and platform feeder. Keep a bird bath full, too.

In the game: fill a feeder with millet and keep the bird bath full. It is a common visitor.

More: bird songs and calls, what to feed birds.

More birds of the lake and wetland

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