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Mallard Duck
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Anas
Species: platyrhynchos
Range & Habitat
Northern Hemisphere. Migratory birds. Spend winters in the south but will not nest there.
Reproduction & Growth
They form breeding pairs as early as autumn, nesting in such places as under boulders, in tree holes, in the crotch of trees or in open areas. The male mallard, or drake, leaves the female when she begins incubation and forms a group with other males. Nine to thirteen eggs are laid on daily intervals. Incubation begins when the clutch is complete and lasts for 27 to 28 days. The
ducklings all hatch within 24 hours, mostly during the day, and are led to water after all have hatched. Mallards mature quickly and may breed before 12 months of age.
Diet - Omnivore
In the Wild: Larger root vegetables, seeds, insects, invertebrates,
marine mollusks and weeds
In the Zoo: Water fowl diet, kale, apples and sometimes mealworms
General Information
The mallard is the world's most familiar duck. Ducks are very gregarious and travel in large numbers. The male mallards molt earlier than females but all occur in late spring or early summer. During the summer, they spend much time asleep on water banks. In autumn, the are replenished with fresh plumage ready to migrate and mate. Much fighting occurs between males during the breeding
season.
In the Zoo
Currently we have two Mallards, one female and one male.
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