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"One of the most popular of all ducks is the Mallard Duck. It can be found throughout North America, all across Eurasia and into Australia. Where it does not occur naturally, it has often been introduced."
Scientific Name -
Anas platyrhynchos
RANGE - North America, Europe, Asia, Australia
LIFESPAN - One recorded at 29 years
DIET - Variety of plants, insects & small frogs.
WEIGHT - 35 to 46 ounces.
LENGTH - 20 to 26 inches
WINGSPAN - 32 to 37 inches
STATUS - Doing Well
PROTECTION - ACAEMW
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Found in all kinds of Tennessee wetlands, this large dabbling duck is the most common duck nearly worldwide! The unmistakeable male has a bright green head, brown & white body, a blue speculum edged in white and a yellow bill with black tip. The female is mottled brown, which serves as camoflauge amongst grasses. Mallard males are quite aggressive during the mating season and form pairs only until the female lays eggs. The female lays 8-13 eggs, which are incubated for 27-28 days. Hatchlings reach fledging at about 50-60 days. These ducklings are precocial, and able to swim and feed themselves as soon as they hatch, although they stay close to the female for protection. The young ducklings are not waterproof and rely on the female to provide waterproofing. Female gives the loud series of quacks associated with ducks, while the males make softer, rasping grunts and whistles. The Mallard Ducks wings whistle while in flight. These ducks are strongly migratory in the northern parts of its range and winter as far south as Central America and the Caribbean.
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