All species
resident
Least ConcernDucks, geese and swans
Mallard
The familiar wild duck of UK ponds and rivers. The male is glossy green-headed, while the female is mottled brown for camouflage.
Anas platyrhynchos
Lakes Rivers Ponds Parks
Size
50-65 cm
Wingspan
81-98 cm
Weight
750-1,500 g
Lifespan
3-5 years
Diet
Aquatic plants, seeds, insects and small fish; dabbles at the water surface.
Song & Call
The female's loud 'quack' and the male's softer, rasping call.
Tap play to listen0:00
Speed
Visualizer
Recording by Sander Pieterse · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
How to identify
- Male: iridescent green head
- Yellow bill
- Female: mottled brown
Conservation
Least Concern
Abundant and widespread; many urban populations are partially tame.
