Mallard

Species Details

Abundant and widespread, our largest dabbling duck feeds on plant material, snails, and aquatic insects. The mottled brown female gives familiar loud quacking calls, the male a short rasping call. Wild mallards are mostly migratory, but those breeding here is probably permanent residents, some hybridized with the American Black Duck. Nests are built of grasses and reeds near the lake’s edge. The egg-laying season may last from February to May.