Alternative Names (Synonyms)

• Anas platyrhynchos domesticus - Domestic duck

Greenhead
Green-headed mallard
Common mallard (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos)
Northern mallard
Wild Duck
Greenland mallard (Anas platyrhynchos conboschas)
Mexican mallard (Anas platyrhynchos diazi)
Mexican duck (Anas platyrhynchos diazi)
Stockente (German)
Canard colvert (French)
Anade azulon (Spanish)
Anade real (Spanish)
Wilde Eend (Dutch)
Gräsand (Swedish)
Anas platyrhynchos diazi (Mexican duck) = Anas platyrhynchos diazi
Anas boscas

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Other references:

B38, B138

Aviculture references:
B7, B29, B30, B31, B40, B94, B97, B108, B128.w1, B128.w2, B129
D1, D8

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Earthkind
• The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

• Waterfowl Management Guidelines
• Proceedings of the Waterfowl Information Network Conference 1999
• Wetlands, Industry and Wildlife
• London Waterfowl Project FAQ's
• The Electronic Library: further reading for "Wildlife: Oil Spill Response"

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Dabbling Ducks

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Dabbling Ducks are generally hardy, easy to maintain and easy to breed. Shelter may be required by some of the smaller species in winter. They should be provided with cover (including marginal pond cover) and loafing areas as well as water. A pen which is 50% water is suggested. The water may be shallow (i.e. no more than two feet deep is required), and muddy areas for dabbling in are also appreciated. These ducks are generally good in mixed collections, although the smaller and quieter species may be bullied. Territorial disputes between ducks of the same species may be avoided by keeping only one pair of each species in an enclosure, unless the area is very large. For a single pair of ducks a pen are of 50 to 100 square metres, depending on the size of duck, should be provided.
• A diet based on wheat and pellets is suggested, with maintenance pellets changed to breeders pellets for the breeding season. Bread and greenfood are also appreciated. Grit should always be available, with soluble grit (e.g. oystershell grit) as a calcium source when breeding.
• Most species are ground nesters and both close ground cover and ground level nest boxes should be provided. Hand-rearing is generally preferred, as these ducks are generally poor parents in captive conditions, particularly in enclosures shared with other waterfowl. These ducks are prone to hybridization, particularly with closely related species, which should be kept apart from one another.

(B7, B29, B30, B40, B94, B128.w1, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Mallard are quarrelsome within their own species but usually tolerant of other species. The enclosure should have cover, loafing areas and water. They may be fed a variety of foods, including a standard mixture of pellets and wheat. They are rarely included deliberately in collections as drakes will pursue and rape females of other species, with resultant hybrids. If kept, including three or four females for each drake may be useful.
• Mallard are very easy to breed. They may lay from late winter to mid summer, e.g. February to July, and use a wide variety of natural cover and artificial nest sites. Females may be used as broodies and as foster-mothers for other species, but may attract wild drakes. Ducklings are very hardy and easy to rear.
• Frequently hybridise, particularly with other Anas species - descendants often fertile; also with Cairina moschata - Muscovy duck and with other ducks and geese.

(B29, B31, B40, B94, B97, B108, B128.w2, B129)

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average closed ring size: M 12.0mm (D8).

• Accommodation of Casualty Waterfowl
• Rearing of Birds - Artificial Rearing - Waterfowl considerations
• Catching and Handling of Waterfowl
• Feeding of Casualty Waterfowl
• Release of Casualty Waterfowl
• See also: Oil Spill: Species Identification and Special Considerations

Measurement & Weight

Anas platyrhynchos diazi 51-56cm, 20-22 inches (B25).

Anas platyrhynchos diazi 960-1060g (B25); 2.1-2.3 lbs. (B8).

Anas platyrhynchos conboschas average 10% larger than platyrhynchos (B8).

Anas platyrhynchos diazi 815-990g (B25); 1.8-2.2 lbs. (B8).

Anas platyrhynchos conboschas average 10% larger than platyrhynchos (B8).

Head

Anas platyrhynchos diazi male greenish-yellow, female dull yellow-orange.

Legs

Plumage

Wing has grey-brown coverts, white tips to grey greater coverts, glossy blue/purple secondaries with black base and subterminal line and white tips; visible when wing folded as distinctive blue wing flash (speculum) bordered by black then white line in front and behind. Primaries brown.

Eclipse: Similar to female, but paler sides of head, darker crown and nape, breast less strongly marked and slightly reddish.

Anas platyrhynchos diazi: both sexes similar to female Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos, but body darker, tail and tail-coverts dark, speculum slightly greenish-blue with narrower white bands.

Anas platyrhynchos conboschas: Similar to platyrhynchos with typical male and female plumages, but paler.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Anas platyrhynchos diazi 26-28 days (B8).

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Independent at fledging.

Social Behaviour

Anas platyrhynchos diazi less gregarious, found in smaller groups.

Anas platyrhynchos diazi does not mix much with other species.

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Anas platyrhynchos diazi mainly nocturnal.

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos through most of Palearctic and Nearctic.

Mostly migratory but some populations sedentary.

London: In the London Area, "very common and widespread breeding resident, with numbers increasing in winter." Includes 200 or more on the River Thames at more than one location (Barnes, Putney). In Inner London, found at several sites, with more than 150 at Surrey Docks in February and St James's Park in September, 2000 and small numbers breeding. (J322.65.w1)

• Anas platyrhynchos conboschas Greenland.

• Anas platyrhynchos diazi extreme southern USA, from Arizona to Texas, southward to central Mexico.

--

South-eastern Australia (hybridises with Anas superciliosa - Pacific black duck) and New Zealand, Bermuda, possibly South Africa (hybridises with Anas undulata - African yellowbill, offspring fertile), possibly Chile (B38).

Habitat

Anas platyrhynchos diazi: In open country. Wetlands in the uplands of central Mexico, inland rivers and marshes, flooded fields.

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Not threatened. Abundant and widespread.

40% decrease in Britain over the ten years to 1997-98 (B45).

• This species is listed on Schedule 2 - Part I (Birds which may be killed or taken outside the close season, 1 February to 31 August except where indicated otherwise: Notes on the revised schedules state "NOTE: The close season for ducks and geese when below high water mark is 21 February to 31 August") of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)
• This species is listed on Schedule 3 - Part 3 (Birds which may be sold alive at all times if ringed and bred in captivity: Notes on the revised schedules state "Birds which may be sold dead from 1 September to 28 February (NB: It is illegal to offer for sale at any time of the year any wild goose, moorhen, gadwall or goldeneye, although they are legitimate quarry species outside the close season)) of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)

Captive Populations

Trade