Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is a widely recognized duck species, celebrated for its striking plumage and adaptability to various habitats. Found commonly in parks and wetlands, this species is known for its seasonal migrations, moving southward during the colder months when northern waters freeze over.

🇫🇷	Canard colvert
🇩🇪	Stockente
🇲🇽	Ánade real, Ánade azulón

Taxonomy

Order	Anseriformes
Family	Anatidae

Tips for Identifying This Species

The Mallard is the most prevalent duck species in the Montreal area. Males are easily recognizable by their distinctive green head and neck, which is accentuated by a white ring. Females, however, present a greater challenge in identification due to their resemblance to other species. A key distinguishing feature is the blue patch on their wings, bordered by white stripes, unlike the Black Duck.

Notes about Whereabouts

Mallards are commonly observed in parks featuring lakes or slow-flowing rivers during the spring, summer, and autumn months. In winter, as the lakes and rivers freeze, these ducks migrate southward.

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	x	x	x	-
Parc Île-de-la-Visitation	x	-	-	-

"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.

Characteristics

Length	50–65cm
Weight	0.7–1.6kg
Wingspan	81–98cm
Clutch Size	8-13 eggs
Incubation	23-30 days
Fledging	50-60 days
Sexual Maturity	1 year