Mallard

1/2500s at f5.6 ISO:800, Canon Mark 4 1Ds w/400mm


The Mallard is probably the best known and most recognizable of all ducks, is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and sub-tropical areas of North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, New Zealand and Australia. It is strongly migratory in the northern parts of its breeding range, and winters farther south. For example, in North America it winters south to Mexico, but also regularly strays into Central America and the Caribbean between September and May. The Mallard inhabits most wetlands, including parks, small ponds and rivers. Mallards form pairs only until the female lays eggs, at which time the male leaves her. The clutch is 8 to 13 eggs, which are incubated for 27 to 28 days to hatching with 50 to 60 days to fledgling. The ducklings are precocial, and can swim and feed themselves on insects as soon as they hatch, although they stay near the female for protection. The Mallard is the ancestor of all domestic ducks, except the few breeds derived from the unrelated Muscovy Duck.
Boulder County, CO
 
03/15/2011