Mallard (anas plantyrhynchos)

Mallards are probably our most well known duck. They are a common sight in parks, ponds and other wetland areas. The males (sometimes called drakes) are instantly recognisable with their beautiful, glossy, dark green heads. The females are brown with a little line of blue in their wings.

They are dabbling ducks which means that they feed on plants and small creatures near the surface of the water (but don't generally dive down deep under the water). You can sometimes see them with their heads in the water and tails in the air, as they search for food. Adult birds eat mainly plants, but will eat small creatures which they find in water and on land. They'll also eat seeds and berries. If you want to feed ducks like Mallards, please don't feed them bread as it's bad for them. Instead offer them seeds, oats, lettuce or even sweetcorn.

Male and female mallards tend to pair up in the autumn and then the females lay eggs from March to July. There are usually around twelve eggs in a clutch. Ducklings hatch after a month. Within one day of hatching, they will be swimming. They stick close to their mother who protects them from predators, teaches them how to feed and keeps them warm until they grow waterproof feathers like their parents. 

Mallards are good flyers and can reach speeds of up to 55 mph!