{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "duck",
  "name": "Mallard",
  "scientificName": "Anas platyrhynchos",
  "category": "Bird",
  "summary": "The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is the familiar puddle duck of ponds, rivers, marshes, and parks across much of the world. Males sport a glossy green head, while females are mottled brown; both weigh around 0.7 to 1.4 kg (1.5 to 3.1 lb). Mallards are dabbling omnivores that feed at the water's surface and are strong fliers, reaching up to 80 km/h (50 mph). Common and widespread, they are listed as Least Concern and live around 5 to 10 years in the wild.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Aves",
    "order": "Anseriformes",
    "family": "Anatidae",
    "genus": "Anas"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 1.2,
    "lengthM": 0.6,
    "topSpeedKmh": 80,
    "lifespanYears": 10
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Anas platyrhynchos"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Omnivore — plants, seeds, invertebrates, and grain"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Ponds, rivers, marshes, and parks worldwide"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "5–10 years in the wild"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "0.7–1.4 kg (1.5–3.1 lb); drakes slightly larger"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to 80 km/h (50 mph) in flight"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Mallard native across Eurasia and North America; introduced to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America.",
    "continents": [
      "Africa",
      "Asia",
      "Europe",
      "North America",
      "Oceania",
      "South America"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Anas platyrhynchos.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Anas%20platyrhynchos&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Anas platyrhynchos. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Anas_platyrhynchos/"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/duck/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/duck/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}