|
|
Mallard Duck by Jon E. Felder The Mallard Duck is the common wild duck of the temperate regions around the world. It is an ancestor of all breeds of domestic ducks except the Muscovy. The Mallard is commonly raised in captivity on ponds and lakes. The Mallard Duck is the best-known duck and is possibly the most abundant wild duck throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Its length ranges between 20 ˝ to 28 inches long. Their wingspans range from 30 to 40 inches across. Recognizing a male Mallard is very easy. They have a very glossy green head, a white tail, and black and gray feathers. The Mallard tries to avoid salt water at all cost. They will always be seen around fresh water. The Mallard can be seen as far north as Canada and Greenland during the summertime. During the winter they fly as far south as the Mississippi Valley, but usually no further than that. Their feeding habits resemble that of any pond duck. They tip over and bob in the water to snatch up weeds at the bottom of the lake or pond. They also have the ability to dive in deeper water if needed. During the summer months they will catch snails, aquatic insects, and tadpoles, fish, and fish eggs. Sometimes the Mallard will even scavenge on dead salmon. When nesting, the Mallard usually finds a nice spot on the ground among dead grass and weeds. Their egg color is gray-green and they can usually lay between 9 to 13 eggs. The incubation period is about 27 to 28 days. The parents care for the young ducklings for about seven to eight weeks. Written spring 2004, as a service learning project for Dr. Gary Coté's Biology 102 class at Radford University. Copyright Pathways for Radford. |
