The most common duck native to the UK is the Mallard duck. The Mallard is a medium-sized dabbling duck that is found throughout the UK in parks, rivers, lakes, and other waterways. Some key facts about the Mallard duck:
What does the Mallard duck look like?
The male Mallard duck has a glossy green head, white neck ring, gray body, and black rear. The female Mallard is mostly mottled brown with an orange-brown bill. Both male and female Mallards have a purple speculum on their wings that is visible in flight.
Some distinguishing features of the Mallard include:
- Green head (male)
- White neck ring (male)
- Brown mottled body (female)
- Purple speculum on wings
- Orange-brown bill
The Mallard is a medium-sized duck, weighing approximately 1-1.5 kg and measuring 48-62 cm long with a wingspan of 81-98 cm.
Where are Mallard ducks found in the UK?
Mallard ducks are found throughout the UK in both rural and urban areas. Some common places Mallards inhabit include:
- Ponds, lakes, reservoirs
- Rivers and streams
- Marshes and wetlands
- Canals
- Parks and gardens
Mallards prefer slow moving or standing freshwater habitats but can be found along coastlines and estuaries as well. They thrive in areas with abundant aquatic vegetation to provide food and cover. The Mallard is so adaptable that it can even be found in city parks and backyard ponds.
What is the habitat and diet of the Mallard?
The Mallard inhabits a diverse array of shallow wetlands and waterways. Its habitat includes:
- Freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, and marshes
- Brackish wetlands
- Coastlines
- Estuaries
- Park lagoons and garden ponds
The Mallard is an omnivorous bird and feeds on a wide variety of food sources:
- Aquatic plants
- Grasses
- Seeds
- Acorns
- Roots
- Berries
- Insects
- Worms
- Snails
- Tadpoles
- Small fish
Their varied diet allows Mallards to thrive in urban and suburban environments where they can dabble for food in shallow waterways.
How do Mallard ducks nest and breed?
Nesting
The female Mallard builds a nest on the ground concealed in dense vegetation near water. Nests are bowl-shaped and lined with down feathers plucked from the female’s breast. Typical nesting locations include:
- In tall grass or shrubs near water
- Under bushes
- At the base of trees
- On secluded islands
- In meadows or fields
The female will lay 6-13 pale greenish-colored eggs. Incubation lasts for about 28 days before the ducklings hatch.
Breeding and pairs
Mallards form pairs to mate starting in late fall and early winter. However, the bond between breeding pairs dissolves after mating season. Males do not stick around to help care for eggs or ducklings.
Female Mallards provide all parental care for the ducklings. Ducklings fledge at around 2 months old but remain with the female for about 2-3 months in total before dispersing.
Mallards are prolific breeders. They start breeding at 1 year old and a single female may lay up to 13 clutches in a year, sometimes laying eggs in the nests of other ducks.
How many subspecies of Mallard exist?
There are several subspecies of Mallard recognized across the Northern hemisphere:
Subspecies | Range |
---|---|
Northern Mallard | Europe, Asia, North America |
Greenland Mallard | Greenland |
Hawaiian Mallard | Hawaiian Islands |
Mexican Mallard | Southwestern North America |
Florida Mallard | Florida and surrounding states |
American Black Duck | Eastern North America |
The Mallard found in the UK is the nominate race known as the Northern Mallard. It is the most abundant and widespread subspecies across Europe, Asia, and North America.
How have Mallard populations changed?
Mallard populations remain stable and the ducks are classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. However, Mallard numbers have increased across the UK over the last several decades:
- In the early 1900s, the British Mallard population was estimated at just 125,000 birds.
- By the mid-1900s, the population grew substantially to around 250,000.
- Today estimates suggest there are up to 500,000 Mallards in the UK.
This population growth is likely due to:
- Increased habitat availability – Growth of parks, gardens, reservoirs in urban areas
- Supplemental feeding by humans in parks
- Establishment of captive-reared populations
- Climate change making habitat more suitable in some areas
So while globally still common, Mallard numbers have prospered significantly in the UK over the past century.
Why are Mallards so abundant and widespread?
Several key factors contribute to the Mallard’s abundance across the UK:
Adaptability
Mallards utilize a wide range of habitats from dense forests to city parks. As long as there is water available, they can thrive. Their varied diet also lets them forage in many locations.
Breeding habits
Mallards start breeding early at age 1. Females have high reproductive potential, laying large clutches and up to 13 broods per year. This allows Mallard numbers to rapidly expand.
Lack of threats
Mallards don’t face major threats in the UK. With no natural predators, abundant habitat and food, they are able to flourish.
Supplementary feeding
Many people enjoy feeding ducks in parks which provides Mallards with a reliable food source and helps support higher populations.
Establishment of captive populations
Releasing captive-reared Mallards for hunting contributes to Mallard numbers staying high.
Conclusion
In summary, the Mallard is the most common and familiar duck species across the UK. Its distinctive green head makes the male easy to recognize. Mallards live in all types of waterways and wetlands where they feed on aquatic plants, invertebrates, and other food. They nest on the ground and females raise the ducklings alone. While globally abundant, Mallard numbers have increased substantially in the UK over the past century due to their adaptability, breeding productivity, and supplementation from captive populations. The Mallard looks set to remain a ubiquitous duck species across Britain.