Key Facts
- Length: 55-62cm
- Wingspan: 90cm
- Weight: 970-1200g
- Average Lifespan: 3 years
The mallard is the most familiar of all the dabbling ducks, found right across Europe, Asia and North America.
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.
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 Tit
- Birds
Hen Harrier
- Birds
Herring Gull
- 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
Moorhen
- Birds
Nuthatch
- Birds
Peregrine falcon
- Birds
Robin
- Birds
Skylark
- Birds
Snipe
- Birds
Starling
- Birds
Swift
- Birds
Tree Sparrow
- Birds
Waxwing
- Birds
Wheatear
- Birds
Willow Warbler
- Birds
Wood Pigeon
- Birds
Wood Warbler
- Birds
Wren
- Birds