Quick answer
Key facts about mallard — size, diet, habitat, and conservation in one place.
Domestic ancestor
Nearly all farm ducks descend from mallards — selective breeding created Pekin, Rouen, and runner varieties while wild mallards remain abundant.
Hybridisation
Park mallards interbreed with domestic escapes, creating varied plumage mongrels. Pure wild genotypes concern conservationists on isolated island populations.
Dabbling feeding
Mallards tip tail-up to graze underwater plants without diving — classic puddle duck behaviour on shallow wetlands.
Migration patterns
Northern populations migrate south; many urban mallards stay year-round on fed ponds — different survival strategies within one species.