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Photo: G. Bradley
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UK
Safari Tip:
Get help identifying wetland birds with the beautifully illustrated fold
out ID chart in the Nature shop - click
here
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Latin name: Anas platyrhynchos
Size: Grow to around 55cms in length.
Distribution: Throughout the UK.
Months seen: All year round.
Habitat: Ponds, lakes, rivers and reservoirs.
Food: Aquatic plants and insects.
Special features: This is one of the commonest ducks in Britain. In urban parks they are quite tame, and will take bread from the hand. In rural areas they are a little more shy. Mallards have a habit of feeding with their tails in the air and their heads under the water. This is called up-ending, or dabbling.
The male (above) has a yellow bill, an iridescent green head, a white collar and chestnut brown breast.
 The female (left) is speckled brown all over with a blue wing patch. The bill is an orange-brown
colour. The chicks, which are born in April and May, are coloured yellow and brown.
It's possible you may spot one of the many hybrid mallards. They look like a mallard, but with
subtle differences. These are the result of years of domestication and cross-breeding.
Photo of hybrid mallards (Khaki and White Campbells)
UK Safari Wildfowl Section
UK Safari Bird Section
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