mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 15-16 inches Wingspan: 36 inches

• Large dabbling duck

• Blue speculum with white bar along both leading and trailing edges

• Silvery-white wing linings

• Juvenile similar to adult female

• In the southwestern United States the "Mexican Duck", formerly a separate species, has both sexes similar to the female mallard

Adult male alternate:

• Alternate plumage worn from fall through early summer

• Gray back

• Yellow bill

• Green head

• White ring around neck

• Chestnut breast

• Gray flanks and upperwing coverts

• Black undertail coverts contrast with white tail

Adult male basic:

• Similar to adult female, but usually with chestnut breast and an unmarked yellowish bill

Adult female:

• Orange bill with black central patch

• Pale brown face

• Dark cap and eye line

• Mottled brown and tan plumage

Similar species:

Adult male in alternate plumage is unmistakable. Females, immature and
eclipse-plumage males could be confused with black ducks, gadwalls and
mottled ducks, but note the blue speculum with white borders on both
sides. Gadwalls are also distinctive in their steeper forehead, gray bill
with orange edges and white belly patch. Hybrid mallard x black ducks
are often seen and are darker than mallards, with a more purple speculum
bordered by white on one or both edges and usually show some traces of
the mallard plumage.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: N/A
Breeding Habitat: Wetland-open water
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 6-15
Length of Incubation: 28(26-30) days
Days to Fledge: 42-60
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Almost exclusively plant matter; lesser quantities of aquatic invertebrates

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May O
      Su - Summer: June, July, August R
      Fall: September, October, November O

      Winter: December, January, February O

 

 

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