Mallard Archives - British Waterfowl Association https://www.waterfowl.org.uk/tag/mallard/ Conservation, Education and Preservation Fri, 20 May 2022 18:57:03 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Pal-Mates … weekend web tip https://www.waterfowl.org.uk/pal-mates-weekend-web-tip-18/ Fri, 20 May 2022 18:57:03 +0000 https://www.waterfowl.org.uk/?p=19531 W is for wild, introduced or domestic? When we talk about wild waterfowl in Britain, we usually mean the birds ‘ordinarily resident’ here, in their wild colour and form. Some, like the Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) or Egyptian Geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca) have been released and have naturalised, but they don’t really belong here. Introduced species […]

The post Pal-Mates … weekend web tip appeared first on British Waterfowl Association.

]]>
W is for wild, introduced or domestic?
When we talk about wild waterfowl in Britain, we usually mean the birds ‘ordinarily resident’ here, in their wild colour and form. Some, like the Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) or Egyptian Geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca) have been released and have naturalised, but they don’t really belong here. Introduced species take a place in our natural ecosystem at the expense of our native ones.
Our domestic ducks originating here in the UK have been bred over hundreds of years from sports and strains of the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Our domestic geese are descended from the Greylag (Anser anser). The Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) and the Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides) are the ancestors of the other breeds, most originating elsewhere.
Some domestic breeds such as heavy ducks, Indian Runners and Sebastopol Geese are less likely to adapt to life in the wild as they cannot fly to escape predation. The breeds that are most likely to breed with our native wild species tend to be the ones that have retained the ability to fly.
Why does it matter? Sadly when birds are dumped on our lakes and waterways they will of course interbreed with wild birds, like the Greylag hybrids pictured in this post. If you see a Mallard-shaped duck with a white bib or unusual colours, domestic interbreeding is usually to blame.
Read more about responsible waterfowl keeping on our waterfowl pages

The post Pal-Mates … weekend web tip appeared first on British Waterfowl Association.

]]> Mallard https://www.waterfowl.org.uk/wildfowl/true-ducks/mallard/ Thu, 07 Nov 2019 13:04:07 +0000 https://www.waterfowl.org.uk/?page_id=4330 British Waterfowl Association Mallard duck preening — Zoe Brodie James Mallard drake - Ian Gereg There are two recognised subspecies of Mallard: A. p. platyrhynchos of the Palearctic and Nearctic; wintering birds  reach Africa (Nile Valley), south-east Asia (Indus Valley to south-east China), Mexico and Cuba. A. p. conboschas of the Greenland coast Anas platyrhynchos […]

The post Mallard appeared first on British Waterfowl Association.

]]>

British Waterfowl Association

Mallard

Mallard duck
Mallard duck preening — Zoe Brodie James
Mallard drake - Ian Gereg

There are two recognised subspecies of Mallard:

  • A. p. platyrhynchos of the Palearctic and Nearctic; wintering birds  reach Africa (Nile Valley), south-east Asia (Indus Valley to south-east China), Mexico and Cuba.
  • A. p. conboschas of the Greenland coast

Anas platyrhynchos

Mention ‘duck’ and this may be the bird that comes to mind.

The most widespread and numerous of all ducks, it succeeds by its ability to adapt to areas humans use. Though indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere, the Mallard has been introduced to many countries south of the Equator, including South Africa, Mauritius, Australia and New Zealand.

There has been a moderate decline in its UK non-breeding population size (of −38%) over the 25 years to 2015, so this species is Amber-listed in Britain despite being of Least Concern globally.

Mallard duck's speculum — Dr Chris Ashton

The wing speculum, or mirror, is present on both male and female. It is a patch of blue iridescent feathers. Most of our domestic breeds of duck have descended from the Mallard. Many breeds still show the speculum, and in some, its colour is different.

Under domestication, the process of selection is rapid. Humans have chosen characteristics resulting from specific mutations and encouraged such birds to breed. This has been going on for thousands of years resulting in the wide variety of domestic breeds seen today.

Closely related to the Mallard are; the Mottled Duck A. fulvigula, the American Black Duck A. rubripes and the Mexican Duck A. diazi. Mottled and American Black Ducks do not have the white border around the speculum.

Ring Size

12mm

This size is only a guide. Please read more about ringing here.

Mallard may lay a dozen or more eggs, twice or even three times a year. They prefer to nest near water and the duck generally makes her nest well covered in vegetation or in a natural hole in a tree. Incubation is 26–30 days. The duck will lead her brood away from the nest site, often some distance, within a day or two of hatching.

Download a colouring page here.

FURTHER READING

Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Ducks, ponds and wildlife

The post Mallard appeared first on British Waterfowl Association.

]]>