Mallard

Though I talked a little about Mallard and Canada Goose relations, I haven't devoted a post to the Mallard. Let's fix that.

This is one of our most common waterfowl, with estimates of 11 million in North America. The only wild waterfowl that might rival them is the Canada Goose. But they're not just successful as wild animals; most breeds of domestic ducks are descended from a Mallard. They also hybridize with lots of other duck species, suggesting that several other species aren't really far removed from Mallards from an evolutionary perspective.

The classic "quack quack" we associate with Mallards is actually more of a female Mallard call. The male version is quieter and raspier. (Admittedly it's still more like a "quack" than a "moo" or "meow".)

March 9, 2021 at the Raritan River Greenway
Photo 120275529, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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