Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
The most common duck in the parks around Montreal. As most lakes are frozen in winter, Mallards migrate South and are seen less frequently during winter.
- 🇫🇷 Canard colvert
- 🇩🇪 Stockente
- 🇲🇽 Ánade real, Ánade azulón
Characteristics
- Length: 51-66cm
- Weight: 1-1.4kg
- Wingspan: 81-102cm
How to Identify
The most common duck species around Montreal. Males can be easily identified because of the greenish color of the head and neck down till the white ring around the neck. Females are more difficult to identify as there are several other species around looking very similar. Watch for the blue patch on the wings. Different to Black duck, the mallard's blue patch is bordered by white stripes.
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Where and When to Spot
Can be seen in almost every park with lake or slow flowing river during spring, summer and autumn. In winter, when the lakes and rivers are frozen, the Mallard migrated South.
Observations by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jardin Botanique de Montréal | x | x | x | - |
| Parc Angrignon | x | x | x | x |
| Parc Bernard-Landry | x | x | x | - |
| Parc Michel-Chartrand | x | - | x | x |
| Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies | x | - | - | - |
| Parc de la Frayère | x | x | x | x |
| Parc des Rapides, Lachine | x | x | x | - |
| Parc Île-de-la-Visitation | x | - | - | - |
"-" indicates no observation. It may not necessarily mean though that the species is absent from the park during that season.