Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Quick answer
The mallard is the ancestor of most domestic ducks and the world's most recognisable wild duck, weighing about 1.2 kg and flying 80 km/h. Drakes have iridescent green heads; hens are mottled brown — listed Least Concern on every continent except Antarctica.
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Mallard facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Anas platyrhynchos |
|---|---|
| Diet | Omnivore — plants, seeds, invertebrates, and grain |
| Habitat | Ponds, rivers, marshes, and parks worldwide |
| Lifespan | 5–10 years in the wild |
| Weight | 0.7–1.4 kg (1.5–3.1 lb); drakes slightly larger |
| Top speed | Up to 80 km/h (50 mph) in flight |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
Where it lives
Mallard native across Eurasia and North America; introduced to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America.
What is a group of mallards called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Mallards is called a raft.
Baby name
A baby Mallard is called a duckling.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Distribution and habitat
Mallards live in Mallard native across Eurasia and North America; introduced to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America. Preferred habitat includes ponds, rivers, marshes, and parks worldwide. Across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, population density reflects prey availability, water access, and human disturbance. Protected areas and wildlife corridors remain essential for long-term persistence.
Physical traits and behaviour
Mallards typically reach about 0.6 m in length and 1.2 kg in weight, with top speeds near 80 km/h. The familiar puddle duck. Daily activity, social structure, and seasonal movements reflect pressures in their native environment.
Diet and ecological role
Mallards feed on omnivore — plants, seeds, invertebrates, and grain. Foraging shifts with season and local abundance. As birds, they influence food webs — controlling prey, dispersing seeds, or shaping habitat through feeding and movement.
Conservation and coexistence
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change threaten many populations. Responsible ecotourism and community conservation help in parts of their range. Never approach or feed wild mallards.
Human interest and research
Mallards feature in folklore, tourism, and scientific study worldwide. Ongoing research tracks population trends, genetics, and responses to environmental change — data that guides national protection policies.
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Explore the Mallard
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Did you know? Mallard facts
- Mallards are the ancestor of most domestic ducks and the most recognisable wild duck worldwide.
- A duckling — a group on water is a raft.
- Females quack; males make softer raspy calls.
- Conservation: Least Concern.
Diet & feeding
Mallard feeds primarily as a plants, seeds, invertebrates. Mallards interbreed with domestic ducks, creating varied park hybrids.
Adaptations
- Mallards interbreed with domestic ducks, creating varied park hybrids.
- Northern populations migrate south; many urban mallards stay year-round.
Behaviour & ecology
- Mallards interbreed with domestic ducks, creating varied park hybrids.
- Northern populations migrate south; many urban mallards stay year-round.
Communication
- Mallard uses calls and visual displays to communicate territory, alarm, and breeding status.
- Vocal repertoires vary by species and are often learned or refined during development.
Habitat & range
Ponds, rivers, and parks worldwide
Ecological role
Mallard contributes to seed dispersal, insect control, or nutrient cycling depending on diet and foraging habits.
Frequently asked questions about the Mallard
Where do mallards live?
Mallard native across Eurasia and North America; introduced to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America.
What do mallards eat?
Omnivore — plants, seeds, invertebrates, and grain.
How long do mallards live?
About 10 years in the wild on average.
Are mallards endangered?
IUCN status: Least Concern.
What is a group of mallards called?
A group of Mallards is called a raft.
What is a baby mallard called?
A baby Mallard is called a duckling.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Mallard:
-
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Anas platyrhynchos.
- IUCN Red List — Anas platyrhynchos.
Conservation status (Least Concern) and population trends.
- Animal Diversity Web — Anas platyrhynchos. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Life history, morphology, and range.
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