Mallard

(Anas platyrhynchos)

Mallards. People all over the world (with the exception of Antarctica) see them everywhere. They're in parks and streams, ponds and fields, wherever you turn your head. It makes me stop and think: do we enjoy them or do we see too many of them that we take them for granted? Let's learn more about them and maybe we'll stop and watch them the next time we see them.

"The species name comes from the Latin masculus which means male. "Duck" comes from the Anglo-Sazon duce (which is "diver") from the days when the innocence of witches was tested in a "ducking pond."" (Wells, 2002)


The first mallards were used for sacrifice and food between 1353 and 1336 B.C. in Egypt and in 500 B.C. in Southeast Asia. They were domesticated in China 4,000 years ago.

Mallards are related to swans and geese. Think about when you see swans and geese and how they put their heads and necks into the water as they reach for food. Now think about mallards and how we sometimes refer to their putting their heads and necks into the water as "butt up." This is just one way they are similar.

When mallards swim or feed, they keep their tails in the hair. This makes it possible for the mallard to take off to the skies without having to do a running start. Why is this so important? It's important because it makes it possible for them to get away from prey.


Enjoy watching them tip over to feed? They do this because they are "dabblers." When mallards put their heads and necks into the water, they are reaching for the plants living in the water. Plants are not their only food of choice. They also eat bugs, worms, seeds, tadpoles, frogs, and more.



Their beauty is what captures our interest. The males with their green heads shine. The females brown but very beautiful. Each fall the male and female mate and they stay together throughout the season. I learned that the males shed their feathers after mating and are brown like the females. Then, they shed again in autumn and their beautiful colors return.

As you may know, mallards have an oily finish so that they are protected from the elements. The oil comes out near the tail. Do you own any down filled clothes or bedding? Mallards have down feathers just under the top layers of their feathers. The male mallard is a drake and the female is a hen. Do you know what a group of mallards is called? A brood.



We have a pond out front where, a few years back, a few mallards used to visit each spring through fall. They didn't raise any young here but they did stop over to drink and rest in the shade. Most of us loved seeing them swim in our pond. They entertained us. Watching them land on the pond was the most fun.

Mallards are between 18 and 27 inches long and have a wingspan of about 3 feet. They are one of the best fliers and can fly up to 40 mph. Do you know how much they weigh? Just under 3 pounds.
How far up in the air do they fly? Between 400 and 2,000 feet, sometimes more. I love watching them. They always seem to have a smile on their face.


So, how do the mallards continue to thrive? They adapt to their environment and live between 5 and 10 years.

Just like people, mallards like to be with other mallards.  As such, they like to cross breed as you see just below. The female mallards are the ones who make the loud "quack." The males make a softer sound.

My husband and I went to a local state park where we watched a pair of mallards walk across the ice. This was fun to see. Because  they adapt with the environment, they do well in all environments. Ice is just one more thing they live with. I learned that mallards do not have veins and so they do not feel the temperature wherever they are.

Mallards. Domesticated ducks that we see all around us. Go outside and see for yourself.


Coming next week: learn about the American Coot.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog!

Judy

References:

Alderferer, J. (2013). National Geographic Kids: Bird Guide to North America.

https://www.omlet.us/guide/ducks/about_ducks/history/

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mallard/lifehistory#

https://americanexpedition.us/learn-about-wildlife/mallard-duck-facts-information/

http://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/mallard_duck_facts/587/

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/duck.html

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mallard-duck/#mallard-male-swimming.jpg

Wells, D. (2002). 100 Birds and How They Got Their Names.