The short answer is yes, a drake is a male mallard duck. Mallards are a common type of wild duck found across North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. The term “drake” refers specifically to the male mallard, while the female is called a hen or duck.
What is a Mallard?
Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) are large dabbling ducks that are often seen in city ponds and parks as well as in marshes, lakes, rivers, and coastal habitats. They have iconic green heads and yellow bills in the males (drakes) and mottled brown plumage in the females (hens). Mallards are one of the most familiar and widespread duck species in the world.
Some key features of mallards include:
- Size: About 2 feet long with a 3 foot wingspan, weighing 2-3 pounds
- Coloration:
- Drakes have an iridescent green head, gray body, chestnut brown breast, and yellow bill
- Hens are mottled brown for camouflage with an orange and brown bill
- Habitat: Ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes, parks, coastal habitats
- Range: Throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa
- Diet: Omnivores feeding mainly on plant matter and invertebrates
- Behavior: Gregarious, often found in pairs or flocks
- Conservation status: Least concern with stable populations
What is a Drake?
A drake is specifically an adult male mallard duck. The term “drake” can refer to the male of other duck species as well. Drakes are known for their brightly colored plumage compared to the more neutrally colored females.
Some key features of drakes include:
- Bright green head with white neck ring
- Gray body and wings
- Chestnut brown breast
- Yellow bill
- Curly black feathers on the rear end or “tail”
- Iridescent purple speculum (wing patch)
This striking plumage likely evolved through sexual selection, to attract females. The bright coloration distinguishes drakes from hens which have more camouflaged, mottled brown feathers. Drakes go through an “eclipse” phase after breeding where their plumage resembles dull hens.
Drake Mallard Behavior
In addition to physical features, drake mallards exhibit some notable behaviors especially related to courtship and breeding:
- Courtship displays: Drakes perform elaborate displays to attract mates that can include head bobbing, wing flapping, body shakes, and loud calls.
- Aggression: Drakes can be aggressive especially defending territory and competing for hens in the breeding season.
- Pair bonding: Monogamous pair bonds are formed, though extra-pair mating does occur.
- Nest defense: Drakes stay near the nest and hen while she is incubating eggs.
- Molting: Drakes lose flight feathers all at once going through a 3-4 week flightless period after breeding.
Outside of breeding behaviors, drakes are social and congregate in flocks or pairs. They forage together on aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates.
Drake vs Hen Mallards
While drakes and hens are the same species, there are several notable differences between the male and female mallards:
Trait | Drake | Hen |
---|---|---|
Plumage | Green head, white neck ring, chestnut breast, iridescent purple wing patch, gray body, curly black feathers on rear | Mottled brown plumage for camouflage |
Bill color | Yellow | Orange and brown |
Size | Slightly larger than hen | Slightly smaller than drake |
Courtship displays | Elaborate displays including head bobbing, wing flaps, tail shakes, calls | Less active displays |
Aggression | Can be aggressive especially in breeding season | Less aggressive than drake |
Parental care | Stays nearby nest and ducklings but does not incubate eggs | Builds nest, incubates eggs, rears ducklings |
Molting | Loses all flight feathers simultaneously becoming flightless for 3-4 weeks | Molts partially over longer time, not becoming flightless |
The differences in appearance and behavior are related to the differing reproductive strategies and roles of males and females. Drakes take on a flashier appearance and competitive behaviors to attract mates and guard territories while hens have a more subdued appearance and direct involvement in nesting and rearing young.
Drake Mallard Identification Tips
Identifying drake mallards is pretty straightforward when they are in their bright breeding plumage. But eclipse drakes and young drakes can cause identification challenges. Here are some tips for properly identifying drake mallards:
- Look for green iridescent head and yellow bill – no other duck combines this head/bill color pattern
- Purple wing patch borders the white belly in flight
- Gray body and wings with white vertical bars
- Brown-orange feet
- The “curly tail” with black feathers is distinctive
- Eclipse plumage still shows a green speculum on the wings
- Immature drakes show female-like plumage but with a green speculum on the wings
- Size is slightly larger than hen mallards
- Behavior: male courtship displays confirm ID
The green head and speculum combined with yellow bill are the best field marks. In flight, the contrasting purple wing patch and white belly make a great ID clue. Female-like eclipse drakes retain the green speculum and curly tail feathers.
Conclusion
In summary, the term “drake” refers specifically to a male mallard duck. Drakes can be distinguished from female mallards or hens by their bright green head, yellow bill, purple wing patch, white vertical barring, and curly tail feathers. Their showy plumage and courtship behaviors are designed to attract mates. While drakes and hens are the same species, their differing reproductive strategies lead to divergent appearances and behaviors specialized to their respective male and female roles. So next time you see a flashy green-headed duck, you can confidently say that it is indeed a drake mallard.