Mallards
Still trying to breed.
Buckpool and Fens Pool Local Nature Reserve
What3Words
///thin.spill.bravo
While wild mallards primarily breed during a specific season, typically spring and summer in the Northern Hemisphere, some populations in urban areas or with stable, year-round food sources (like in the UK) may breed outside of the typical season, sometimes even during winter.
Out-of-Season Breeding Factors:
Some circumstances can lead to breeding outside the typical March to July window:
Urban Environments:
In urban areas with consistent, human-provided food and safe nesting sites (like roof gardens or enclosed courtyards), mallards may breed at different times and in some cases, even raise two broods a year.
Geographic Location:
In some regions, like the UK, mallards may be resident breeders and can be found breeding in summer and winter where suitable wetland habitats exist.
The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is the most familiar and widespread species of dabbling duck, found across North America, Europe, and Asia. They are highly adaptable and a common sight in urban parks, ponds, rivers, and various wetland habitats.
Size:
They are large, heavy-looking ducks, typically 50-62 cm (20-24 inches) in length with a wingspan of 81-98 cm (32-39 inches).
Sexual Dimorphism:
Males (drakes) and females (hens) have very different appearances, so much so that they were once thought to be different species.
Male (Drake):
Has a striking, iridescent green head and neck, a bright yellow bill, a white neck ring, a chestnut-brown breast, and grey body plumage. They also have a distinctive curled black feather just above the tail.
Female (Hen):
Has a more muted, mottled brown and tan plumage for camouflage during nesting, with an orange and brown bill.
Both:
Both sexes have a distinctive, white-bordered, iridescent blue or purple patch on their wings called a speculum, which is visible in flight.
Vocalization:
Only the female makes the loud, characteristic "quack" sound commonly associated with ducks. Males have a much quieter, raspier, one or two-note call.
Mallards
Still trying to breed.
Buckpool and Fens Pool Local Nature Reserve
What3Words
///thin.spill.bravo
While wild mallards primarily breed during a specific season, typically spring and summer in the Northern Hemisphere, some populations in urban areas or with stable, year-round food sources (like in the UK) may breed outside of the typical season, sometimes even during winter.
Out-of-Season Breeding Factors:
Some circumstances can lead to breeding outside the typical March to July window:
Urban Environments:
In urban areas with consistent, human-provided food and safe nesting sites (like roof gardens or enclosed courtyards), mallards may breed at different times and in some cases, even raise two broods a year.
Geographic Location:
In some regions, like the UK, mallards may be resident breeders and can be found breeding in summer and winter where suitable wetland habitats exist.
The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is the most familiar and widespread species of dabbling duck, found across North America, Europe, and Asia. They are highly adaptable and a common sight in urban parks, ponds, rivers, and various wetland habitats.
Size:
They are large, heavy-looking ducks, typically 50-62 cm (20-24 inches) in length with a wingspan of 81-98 cm (32-39 inches).
Sexual Dimorphism:
Males (drakes) and females (hens) have very different appearances, so much so that they were once thought to be different species.
Male (Drake):
Has a striking, iridescent green head and neck, a bright yellow bill, a white neck ring, a chestnut-brown breast, and grey body plumage. They also have a distinctive curled black feather just above the tail.
Female (Hen):
Has a more muted, mottled brown and tan plumage for camouflage during nesting, with an orange and brown bill.
Both:
Both sexes have a distinctive, white-bordered, iridescent blue or purple patch on their wings called a speculum, which is visible in flight.
Vocalization:
Only the female makes the loud, characteristic "quack" sound commonly associated with ducks. Males have a much quieter, raspier, one or two-note call.