Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

No photo of the Mallard available.

The Mallard is from the order Anseriformes. Anseriformes are birds, with over 150 species belonging to this order. The majority of these are waterfowl such as ducks, geese, screamers and swans. Anseriformes are further divided into three families, the anhimidae (screamers), the anseranatidae (magpie goose) and the anatidae which is generalised and relates to waterfowls.

The Mallard was first reported by Linnaeus, 1758 . In general, anseriformes can range in size from 1kg up to 22kgs. They can range in length from 30 cms to 180 cms.

The Mallard is found in (but not necessarily limited to) the United States of America. Anseriformes in general are distributed world-wide. They have webbed feet which offers them great agility when swimming through the water. They inhabit aquatic habitats such as rivers or lakes, to swamps or ponds.

They are often preyed upon by owls, skunks, racoons, foxes, coyotes and even humans.

They feed mainly on vegetation being aquatic plants, but will also feed on flowers, leaves, roots and other such food sources. Some species of anseriformes will feed on fish and insects.  

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