MOTTLED DUCK

1373                 MOTTLED DUCK                Anas fulvigula

USA       23

The mottled duck or mottled mallard is a medium-sized species of dabbling duck. It is intermediate in appearance between the female mallard and the American black duck. It is closely related to those species, and is sometimes erroneously considered a subspecies of the former.

Along the Gulf of Mexico coast, the mottled duck is one of the most frequently banded waterfowl. This is due in part to the fact that it is mostly non-migratory. Approximately one out of every 20 mottled ducks is banded, making it an extremely prized and sought after bird among hunters.

MALLARD

(*141)                          MALLARD                  Anas platyrhynchos

USA               6

The mallard  or wild duck is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa. It has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa. Mallards live in wetlands, eat water plants and small animals, and are social animals preferring to congregate in groups or flocks of varying sizes.

Males (drakes) have green heads, while the females (hens) have mainly brown-speckled plumage. Both sexes have an area of white-bordered black or iridescent purple or blue feathers called a speculum on their wings; males especially tend to have blue speculum feathers. 

The non-migratory mallard interbreeds with indigenous wild ducks of closely related species through genetic pollution by producing fertile offspring.

MALLARD

Photographed at Miranda, June 2017

(*   141)               MALLARD                 Anas platyrhynchos 

NEW ZEALAND                  42

European introduction found throughout New Zealand. 58 cm. Found in wetlands, estuaries, rivers, farm ditches, parks and cereal crops.

MALLARD

141         MALLARD         Anas platyrhynchos

Australia         (141)

Typical duck in many illustrations. Found in Eurasia, n. Africa, N. America; introduced in 1860s; widespread through se Australia and Tasmania, pocket around Perth. Habitat deep freshwater, dams, ponds, rivers.

Photographed in England, January, 2014