Ducks, Geese and Swans (Anatidae)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) - HBW 1, p. 605
French: Canard colvert
German: Stockente
Spanish: Anade Azulón
Other common names: Greenhead, Common/Green headed/Northern Mallard (platyrhynchos); Greenland Mallard (conboschas); Florida Mallard/Duck (fulvigula); Mottled Mallard/Duck (fulvigula, maculosa); Mexican Mallard/Duck (diazi); Hawaiian Mallard/Duck, Koloa (wyvilliana); Laysan Mallard/Duck/Teal (laysanensis)
Taxonomy: Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758, Europe.
Forms superspecies with A. rubripes, A. melleri and A. undulata. A. rubripes sometimes considered subspecies of present species. Probable unstable hybrids of present species and A. superciliosa, found on some Micronesian islands, have been considered a different species, Mariana Duck (A. oustaleti). Races fulvigula and maculosa have been partitioned off in a different species, Mottled Duck (A. fulvigula). Races diazi, wyvilliana and laysanensis are also often considered full species. Hybridization recorded wi.. View all taxonomy...
Taxonomy: Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758, Europe.
Forms superspecies with A. rubripes, A. melleri and A. undulata. A. rubripes sometimes considered subspecies of present species. Probable unstable hybrids of present species and A. superciliosa, found on some Micronesian islands, have been considered a different species, Mariana Duck (A. oustaleti). Races fulvigula and maculosa have been partitioned off in a different species, Mottled Duck (A. fulvigula). Races diazi, wyvilliana and laysanensis are also often considered full species. Hybridization recorded with at least 23 other species of genus Anas, often producing fertile progeny, and also with several species of Aix, Alopochen, Anser, Branta, Tadorna, Cairina, Aythya and Somateria. Seven subspecies normally recognized.
Forms superspecies with A. rubripes, A. melleri and A. undulata. A. rubripes sometimes considered subspecies of present species. Probable unstable hybrids of present species and A. superciliosa, found on some Micronesian islands, have been considered a different species, Mariana Duck (A. oustaleti). Races fulvigula and maculosa have been partitioned off in a different species, Mottled Duck (A. fulvigula). Races diazi, wyvilliana and laysanensis are also often considered full species. Hybridization recorded with at least 23 other species of genus Anas, often producing fertile progeny, and also with several species of Aix, Alopochen, Anser, Branta, Tadorna, Cairina, Aythya and Somateria. Seven subspecies normally recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 - most of Palearctic and Nearctic.
- conboschas C. L. Brehm, 1831 - SW Greenland.
- fulvigula Ridgway, 1874 - Florida.
- platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 - most of Palearctic and Nearctic.
- conboschas C. L. Brehm, 1831 - SW Greenland.
- fulvigula Ridgway, 1874 - Florida.
- maculosa Sennett, 1889 - Atlantic S USA to Mexico.
- diazi Ridgway, 1886 - extreme S USA, from Arizona to Texas, S to C Mexico.
- wyvilliana P. L. Sclater, 1878 - Kauai and Oahu Is (Hawaii).
- laysanensis Rothschild, 1892 - Laysan I (to NW of Hawaii).
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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Just before copulation, the drake and hen typically float face-to-face and pump their heads up and down. Locality Ventura County, California, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Don DesJardin 12 February 2010 3 years ago 54 sec 5 -
Close views of 2 males and one female foraging. Locality Ventura County, California, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Don DesJardin 11 January 2010 3 years ago 55 sec 4.8 -
A female swimming with two chicks. Locality Westchester Lagoon, Anchorage, Alaska, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 26 May 2012 42 weeks ago 24 sec 4.6 -
A female preening. Locality Antwerp Province, Belgium (ssp platyrhynchos)
Jeremiusz Trzaska 20 December 2010 2 years ago 30 sec 4.5 -
Lateral views of a drake and hen swimming together as an apparent bonded pair. Locality Ventura, Ventura County, California, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Don DesJardin 30 December 2008 4 years ago 32 sec 4.5 -
Duck flipping in UltraSlo motion at 1900 frames per second. Locality Long Island, New York, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
UltraSlo 19 February 2009 4 years ago 1 min 38 sec 4.5 -
A couple Locality Tablas de Daimiel National Park, Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha, Spain
Juan Sanabria 1 January 2013 6 weeks ago 1 min 17 sec 4.3 -
A female leaving the chicks sleeping on the lagoon's edge, hidden on the grass. Locality Westchester Lagoon, Anchorage, Alaska, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 9 June 2012 38 weeks ago 16 sec 4.3 -
A closeup from a female bird with her youngs. Locality Dronten, Flevoland Province, Netherlands (ssp platyrhynchos)
Yoel Jimenez 10 May 2011 2 years ago 18 sec 4.3 -
Two males head-bobbing display – one then mounts the other Locality Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, England, Great Britain (ssp platyrhynchos)
Joe Angseesing 8 April 2011 36 weeks ago 52 sec 4.3 -
A juvenile swiming upriver 3 Locality Guadarrama River, Madrid, Spain (ssp platyrhynchos)
Juan Sanabria 1 September 2008 3 years ago 40 sec 4.3 -
A female walking on a muddy water and then swimming while calling. Locality George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, British Columbia, Canada (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 17 August 2012 31 weeks ago 24 sec 4.2 -
A close-up of a male, dipping the bill and preening. Locality Virginia Lake, Reno, Washoe County, Nevada, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 24 June 2012 36 weeks ago 33 sec 4.2 -
Mother and chicks swimming and eating a wonderful breakfast. Locality Westchester Lagoon, Anchorage, Alaska, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 9 June 2012 38 weeks ago 36 sec 4.2 -
Six adult males dabbling in freshwater pond Locality Anchorage, Alaska, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Wayne Hall 7 June 2009 3 years ago 1 min 8 sec 4.2 -
A close-up of an adult male stretching the wing and scratching the head. Locality Virginia Lake, Reno, Washoe County, Nevada, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 24 June 2012 36 weeks ago 16 sec 4.2 -
A close-up of a male preening and stretching the wing, on the edge of the lake. Locality Virginia Lake, Reno, Washoe County, Nevada, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 24 June 2012 36 weeks ago 28 sec 4.2 -
A close-up of a male in eclipse plumage, swimming. Locality Virginia Lake, Reno, Washoe County, Nevada, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 24 June 2012 36 weeks ago 24 sec 4.2 -
A male taking off and flying. Locality Sariñena, Huesca, Aragón, Spain (ssp platyrhynchos)
Jesús Laborda 13 January 2010 3 years ago 26 sec 4.2 -
A male and female swimming in a tide pool,and the male preening. Locality Ventura River Mouth, Ventura County, California, USA (United States) (Monotypic species)
Don DesJardin 3 April 2013 6 weeks ago 36 sec 4 -
A female with ten chicks swimming on the lagoon. Locality Westchester Lagoon, Anchorage, Alaska, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 9 June 2012 38 weeks ago 17 sec 4 -
A female relaxing. Locality St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada (ssp platyrhynchos)
mattdavis 9 October 2011 1 year ago 20 sec 4 -
A couple copulating Locality El Cortalet, Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park, Girona Province, Catalonia, Spain (ssp platyrhynchos)
Ferran Vaquero 29 November 2011 1 year ago 57 sec 4 -
first a male ( yelow bill and eclipse plumage ), later a female. both looking upwards Locality Font Moixina, Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa Natural Park, Girona Province, Catalonia, Spain (ssp platyrhynchos)
Ferran Vaquero 16 September 2011 1 year ago 33 sec 4 -
Youngs feeding and later swimming together with their mother. Locality Dronten, Flevoland Province, Netherlands (ssp platyrhynchos)
Yoel Jimenez 10 May 2011 2 years ago 49 sec 4 -
A male. Locality Antwerp Province, Belgium (ssp platyrhynchos)
Jeremiusz Trzaska 20 December 2010 2 years ago 26 sec 4 -
A close-up of different females Locality Helsinki, Southern Finland Province, Finland (ssp platyrhynchos)
Javier Ortas 28 July 2010 2 years ago 32 sec 4 -
A male & a female Mallard enjoying the rain Locality Austria (ssp platyrhynchos)
Andreas Gruber 22 May 2010 2 years ago 2 min 9 sec 4 -
Female with 2-3 day old ducklings Locality Westchester Lagoon, Anchorage, Alaska, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Wayne Hall 31 May 2010 2 years ago 1 min 16 sec 4 -
A brood of very young ducklings on their first outing Locality Scotland, Great Britain (ssp platyrhynchos)
Anne Cotton 15 May 2010 2 years ago 22 sec 4 -
A juvenile swiming upriver 2 Locality Guadarrama River, Madrid, Spain (ssp platyrhynchos)
Juan Sanabria 1 September 2008 3 years ago 35 sec 4 -
A juvenile swiming upriver 1 Locality Guadarrama River, Madrid, Spain (ssp platyrhynchos)
Juan Sanabria 1 September 2008 3 years ago 20 sec 4 -
A pair feeding in muddy water Locality Huntley Meadows Park, Virginia, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 5 May 2006 6 years ago 35 sec 3.9 -
A group of males and females resting Locality Llobregat Delta, Barcelona Province, Catalonia, Spain (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 15 November 2003 6 years ago 43 sec 3.9 -
A male swimming Locality Belgium (ssp platyrhynchos)
Leo Janssen 10 March 2000 7 years ago 16 sec 3.9 -
Male-female pair, mostly swimming together Locality Nawiliwili, Kauai, Hawaiian Islands (ssp wyvilliana)
Joe Angseesing 25 September 2010 26 weeks ago 38 sec 3.8 -
A close-up of a male in eclipse plumage, among a female and another male. Locality Virginia Lake, Reno, Washoe County, Nevada, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 24 June 2012 36 weeks ago 20 sec 3.8 -
A bird (hybrid with Anas superciliosa), feeding in seaweeds. Locality Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand
Josep del Hoyo 7 February 2013 7 weeks ago 31 sec 3.8 -
A male in eclipse plumage, swimming. Locality Dublin Zoo, Dublin, Dublin Region, Ireland (ssp platyrhynchos )
Josep del Hoyo 27 June 2012 33 weeks ago 22 sec 3.8 -
A male, in eclipse plumage, preening on the water. Locality Dublin Zoo, Dublin, Dublin Region, Ireland (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 27 June 2012 33 weeks ago 32 sec 3.8 -
A pair preening on the lagoon's edge and then swimming. Locality Westchester Lagoon, Anchorage, Alaska, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 26 May 2012 42 weeks ago 22 sec 3.8 -
birds foraging in dead leaves Locality Brussels, Belgium (ssp platyrhynchos)
Pascal Vagner 21 February 2010 2 years ago 30 sec 3.8 -
A female with two chicks swimming next to a Squacco Heron Locality Larache, Tangier-Tétouan Region, Morocco (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 7 April 2007 5 years ago 27 sec 3.8 -
Two birds swimming, then feeding in the water Locality Pebble Shores, Naples, Collier County, Florida, USA (United States) (ssp fulvigula)
Sharyn Staggers 31 March 2007 5 years ago 17 sec 3.8 -
A male showing several forms of comfort behaviour Locality Llobregat Delta, Barcelona Province, Catalonia, Spain (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 15 November 2003 6 years ago 35 sec 3.8 -
A male standing Locality Belgium (ssp platyrhynchos)
Leo Janssen 10 March 2000 7 years ago 26 sec 3.8 -
A close-up of a male opening the beak Locality Belgium (ssp platyrhynchos)
Leo Janssen 10 March 2000 7 years ago 13 sec 3.8 -
A pair, the male calling Locality Belgium (ssp platyrhynchos)
Leo Janssen 10 March 2000 7 years ago 24 sec 3.8 -
A mid-grown duckling feeding on a lagoon. Locality Waimanu Lagoons, Waikanae, North Island, New Zealand
Josep del Hoyo 9 February 2013 6 weeks ago 26 sec 3.8 -
Couple feeding Locality Tablas de Daimiel National Park, Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha, Spain
Juan Sanabria 1 January 2013 11 weeks ago 1 min 15 sec 3.8 -
One individual swimming rapidly Locality Slimbridge Wildlife & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, England, Great Britain (ssp laysanensis)
Joe Angseesing 29 October 2010 27 weeks ago 20 sec 3.8 -
A group of birds landing and feeding on muddy water. Locality George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, British Columbia, Canada (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 17 August 2012 31 weeks ago 26 sec 3.8 -
a pair of mallard feeding at the lake edge Locality Mill Lakes, Bestwood, Nottinghamshire, England, Great Britain
chrisjohnson 27 December 2011 1 year ago 24 sec 3.8 -
A male swimming among Whooper Swans. Locality Lake Kussharo, Akan National Park, Hokkaido, Japan (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 3 February 2010 2 years ago 25 sec 3.8 -
A bird shaking its plumage. Locality Sariñena, Huesca, Aragón, Spain (ssp platyrhynchos)
Jesús Laborda 13 January 2010 3 years ago 18 sec 3.8 -
An individual (hybrid with Anas superciliosa), feeding on the water. Locality Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand
Josep del Hoyo 7 February 2013 7 weeks ago 35 sec 3.7 -
Close view of a female feeding by filtering mud with bill. Locality Ría de la Villa, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain (ssp platyrhynchos)
Carlos Fabregat 4 August 2006 7 weeks ago 38 sec 3.7 -
A female swimming. Locality Upper Hollyford River, Upper Hollyford Valley, Fiordland National Park, South Island, New Zealand (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 2 February 2013 7 weeks ago 28 sec 3.7 -
A female swimming with seven chicks. Locality San Diego Zoo, San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA (United States) (ssp platyrhynchos)
Josep del Hoyo 19 June 2012 36 weeks ago 20 sec 3.7 -
A drake preening Locality St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada (ssp platyrhynchos)
mattdavis 22 October 2011 1 year ago 41 sec 3.7
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