Hen Mallard

The mottled subtle light and dark brown markings make the Hen Mallard a strikingly beautiful bird.  While there can be wide variations between individuals, the blue speculum and orange bill with its irregular spots, makes the Hen Mallard easily recognizable.

the Hen makes the mating selection each spring before or during the northern migration.  Pairs remain together through the nest building and egg laying.  After incubation begins the Drake leaves the Hen to incubate the clutch of eggs alone (usually 26 - 30 days).  The Drake retires to larger bodies of water where they undergo their annual feather molt.  The Hen molts when her eggs hatch, becoming temporarily flightless along with the ducklings.

Because they are the so common, Mallards are easily the most recognizable wild duck species. It is the Hens that are the most vocal. Their distinctive quacks are the calls we all identify as “duck calls.”  The Drake’s quack almost sound like it is being softly whispered.

Mallards breed across most of the Northern Hemisphere from the Artic to the sub-tropics of Europe. Most domestic duck species actually are attributed to have wild Mallards as their origin.