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Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos
Duck family (Anatidae)

Medium-sized duck, 3 foot wingspan. Male has an iridescent dark green head, yellow bill, chestnut breast. Female is brown with an orange bill and whitish tail feathers.

Habitat:
Lakes, rivers, ponds.

Nesting:
Nest placed on ground near water. Eggs are pale greenish white. Clutch size – 6 to 11 eggs. Chicks are precocial, downy, leave nest within 24 hours after hatching, fly 8 to 10 weeks after hatching.

Voice:

Male does not quack; gives rasping “rhaeb rhaeb” call during aggression.  Female gives familiar quacking call.

Name Origin:

The genus name Anas is from the Latin for "duck."  The species name platyrhynchos is from the Greek for "broad bill." 

In the Nature Park:
Year-round resident.

Photos: