# Mallard (*Anas platyrhynchos*)

> 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.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Mallard native across Eurasia and North America; introduced to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/duck/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Anseriformes
- **Family:** Anatidae
- **Genus:** Anas

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| 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) |

## Appearance and identification

The mallard is one of the most recognisable ducks in the world, thanks to the drake's iridescent bottle-green head, white neck ring, and chestnut breast. The female, or hen, is mottled brown, which camouflages her on the nest, but both sexes share a bright blue wing patch called the speculum, bordered with white. Adults measure around 0.6 m (about 2 ft) in length and weigh roughly 0.7 to 1.4 kg (1.5 to 3.1 lb), with drakes slightly larger. In late summer the drake moults into a drab "eclipse" plumage that briefly resembles the female.

## Feeding and behaviour

Mallards are dabbling ducks, feeding at or just below the water's surface rather than diving. They up-end, tail in the air, to reach plants, seeds, and invertebrates on the bottom, and will also graze on land and take grain from fields. As opportunistic omnivores, they readily accept food from people in parks, though bread is poor nutrition for them. Their broad bill is fringed with comb-like plates that strain small food items from water and mud.

## Breeding and ducklings

Mallards usually pair up in autumn and winter, and the hen builds a down-lined nest on the ground near water, often well hidden in vegetation. She lays a clutch of around 8 to 13 eggs and incubates them alone for about 28 days. The ducklings are precocial, leaving the nest within a day of hatching to follow their mother to water and feed themselves straight away. They fledge at around two months old, though many fall prey to pike, herons, and other predators before then.

## Flight and migration

Despite their waddling gait on land, mallards are powerful, fast fliers, capable of reaching up to 80 km/h (50 mph) on strong, rapid wingbeats. In colder regions many mallards are migratory, moving south to escape frozen water in winter, while populations in milder climates stay put year-round. They typically fly in loose groups and can take off almost vertically from the water when startled. This flying ability lets them exploit a huge range of wetlands across the seasons.

## Range and relationship with people

Mallards are found across ponds, rivers, marshes, and city parks throughout the Northern Hemisphere and have been introduced widely elsewhere. Highly adaptable, they thrive alongside people and are among the most familiar wild birds in towns and cities. They are also the ancestor of most domestic duck breeds, from the white Aylesbury to the call duck. Because they are so numerous and widespread, the IUCN lists the mallard as Least Concern.

## Frequently asked questions

### How fast can a mallard fly?

Mallards are strong fliers and can reach speeds of up to about 80 km/h (50 mph) in the air. They fly on rapid wingbeats and can take off almost vertically from the water when alarmed.

### What is the difference between a male and female mallard?

The male, or drake, has an iridescent green head, a white neck ring, and a chestnut breast, while the female is mottled brown for camouflage. Both share a blue wing patch called the speculum, and drakes are slightly larger.

### What do mallards eat?

Mallards are omnivores that eat water plants, seeds, invertebrates, and grain. They are dabbling ducks, feeding at the surface or up-ending to reach food underwater rather than diving, and they will also graze on land.

### How long do mallards live?

Wild mallards typically live around 5 to 10 years, though many die young to predators. Occasional individuals live considerably longer, and ringed birds have been recorded at well over 20 years.

### Are mallards endangered?

No. Mallards are extremely common and widespread, and the IUCN lists them as Least Concern. They adapt easily to human environments and are among the most familiar wild ducks in the world.

### Where do mallards build their nests?

Mallard hens usually nest on the ground near water, hidden in vegetation, lining a shallow scrape with down. The hen lays around 8 to 13 eggs and incubates them alone for about 28 days before the ducklings hatch.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Anas platyrhynchos.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Anas%20platyrhynchos&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Anas platyrhynchos. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Anas_platyrhynchos/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/duck/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.