| Mallard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A Mallard drake. | |
| Information | |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Scientific Name | Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos |
| Found | Globally |
| Status | Abundant |
The most abundant and well-known species of duck, the Mallard is a breed commonly seen across the globe, namely in America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. First thought to be domesticated prior to 500 B.C.[1], they are believed to have been the parent stock to all domestic ducks, excluding Muscovies.
Description[]
Elegant and streamlined, authentic Mallards have trim, teardrop-shaped bodies, slender, telescoping necks, aerodynamic heads, and horizontal body carriage. A distinctive characteristic of the breed is a long, slim bill.[2] Mallards are also a noisy species- the male has a nasally call whilst the female boasts a loud "quack".
Drakes in breeding season display a beetle-green head, gray/brown plumage, and bright yellow-orange bill. Out of season, drakes closely resemble ducks in plumage.
Ducks have light brown plumage with a mottled feather pattern.
Varieties[]
- Snowy
- White
- Golden
- Pastel
- Blue Fawn
Mallards in the Wild[]
Wild Mallards inhabit wetland-like areas, such as ponds, rivers, and parks. They feed by dabbling for underwater plants/insects and grazing on grassy locations. Wild Mallards are also highly gregarious post-breeding season and often form large flocks known as sords. [3]
See the wikipedia article for more information.
Sources and references[]
- ↑ "No one knows for sure when mallards were first domesticated, but there is evidence that Southeast Asians and Romans were raising ducks in captivity prior to 500 B.C. -Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks", pg. 29
- ↑ Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, pg. 29
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mallard#Behaviour