Duck Facts
Interesting Mallard Duck Facts
Being the most common and recognized duck in the United States, it isn’t surprising that so many mallard duck facts have been gathered over time to share with duck enthusiasts.
In North America, the glistening green head and distinctive yellow beak of the mallard duck are a familiar sight in freshwater lakes and ponds, brackish ponds and in wetland areas. The male is the most brilliantly colored, while the female sports a brown feathered body flanked by bluish wing feathers.
Longevity is a trait of the mallard duck; facts show that up to 10 year life spans are reported for the bird in the wild. Unfortunately, the mallard is a highly sought after prey for many predators, with ducklings in particular as targets. Large fish such as pike and muskie are aquatic predators, and land based predators include fox, heron, eagles and hawks.
One of the most interesting duck facts are that the mallard has the capability to take flight in an almost vertical method directly from the water. Once clear of the water, they are able to zoom upwards as high as 30 feet if needed to reach the wide open sky, where they launch into flight reaching high speeds quickly.
Mallard ducks are migrating birds. Their migrating habits stretch from late summer/early winter with the return trip made in April; returning in time for breeding. One of the odd duck facts is that hens often return to the site where they themselves hatched to nest and raise their young. The light green duck eggs will hatch between April and May, with ducklings able to take off into the sky after only two months.
When it comes to food and diet for the mallard duck, facts that they are omnivorous mean that they eat plant life, aquatic life and animal matter. Mallards are considered to be dabbling ducks, a term used for birds which feed at or just below the surface of the water. Their diets are high in plant life, including grains, grasses and water plants. Insects and animals are consumed by the mallard duck on occasion, with ducks living along the coastal states added mussels to their diverse diets. In the fall, mallard ducks consume more in order to layer their bodies with a store of fat, supplying them with much needed energy and cooler air temperatures during the migratory season.
Duck facts show that all, including the mallard, depend on having wetlands to survive; a part of the environment disappearing at an alarming rate. Hopefully, we will all begin to preserve these areas to ensure the survival of the mallard duck and their cousin breeds. Duck enthusiasts of the future will thank us, as they in turn enjoy the common sight of the mallard duck.