Mallard

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Bird 🦆
🦆
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Size
50–65 cmSimilar to a small chicken
Weight
750 g–1.6 kgAbout the weight of a bag of sugar
Lifespan
5–10 years
Rarity
Common
M vs F
Males have a glossy green head, purple-brown breast and curled tail feather; females are streaked brown with an orange-brown bill
Habitat
Lakes, rivers, ponds, wetlands, urban parks — almost any water body
Best time
Year-round
Conservation
UK: Amber LC
💡 Did you know?
The familiar quacking sound is only made by the female — male mallards produce a quieter, raspy reed-like call
Mallards can sleep with one eye open, keeping half their brain alert for predators — a state called unihemispheric slow-wave sleep
Often confused with
Tufted Duck (black and white dives) Shoveler (spatula bill) Gadwall (grey and brown)
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