© Mallard by Rob Miller Mallard Anas Platyrhynchos The mallard is the most familiar of all the dabbling ducks, found right across Europe, Asia and North America. © Mallard Ducklings by Rob Miller They have also been introduced to South Africa and Australia. Mallards are a common sight at your local park or pond and are often very tame, being fed by the public regularly. How to Identify The breeding plumage of the male mallard includes a shiny green head, maroon-brown chest, yellow bill and curly black feathers just above the tail. Female mallards are brown and mottled in comparison. Where to find Our commonest duck, found throughout the country. How People Can Help The mallard is a common duck but has recently been added to the Amber List of Birds of Conservation Concern because non-breeding populations are declining. This demonstrates that the survival of some of our most common waterbirds is under threat due to the loss and degradation of our wetland habitats. Local Wildlife Trusts work hard to protect and manage the wetland habitats that our waterbirds need to survive; by volunteering you can help too and you’ll make new friends and learn new skills along the way. Did you know? The mallard is the ancestor of the domesticated, farmyard duck. Key FactsLength: 55-62cmWingspan: 90cmWeight: 970-1200gAverage Lifespan: 3 years Donate Donate to help support Mallard and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Collared Dove Birds Coot Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Golden Plover Birds Goldfinch Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Jay Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Linnet Birds Little Egret Birds Little Grebe Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mandarin Duck Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Redwing Birds Robin Birds Rook Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Starling Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whitethroat Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Wren Birds