Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Species
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Male. Taken at Oxford, Oxon., on February 18th 2015.
Male. Taken at Oxford, Oxon., on February 18th 2015.
(1/400th sec at f4. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Female. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on April 27th 2014.
Female. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on April 27th 2014.
(1/250th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Juvenile. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on April 13th 2022.
Juvenile. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on April 13th 2022.
(1/1000th sec at f9. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 50 - 60 cm; WS: 81 - 95 cm

The Mallard is a very common species in the UK and Europe. The male's breeding plumage, with its metallic green head and blue speculum, is distinctive. Adult females are mostly brown; the blue speculum is diagnostic.

It is found throughout the UK, although it is scarcer in upland areas.

It will breed on more or less any sort of body of water, and can use a variery of nest sites.

Many Mallards that breed in Iceland and northern Europe are winter visitors to the UK.

The UK breeding population is between 60000 and 146000 pairs. It has amber status on the UK list.

Sightings

11-Apr-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
04-Apr-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
22-Mar-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
16-Mar-2024 : Standlake Common, Oxon
15-Mar-2024 : Radley Lakes, Oxon
02-Feb-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
31-Jan-2024 : Slimbridge, Glos
16-Jan-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
04-Jan-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
01-Jan-2024 : Standlake Common, Oxon

26-Dec-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
08-Dec-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
17-Nov-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
07-Nov-2023 : Slimbridge, Glos
22-Oct-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon
22-Sep-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
13-Sep-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
05-Sep-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon
18-Aug-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
16-Aug-2023 : Whelford Pools, Glos
01-Aug-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon
28-Jul-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
02-Jun-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
20-May-2023 : Cholsey Marsh, Oxon
19-May-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
18-May-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon
04-May-2023 : Cors y Llyn NNR, Powys (2)
28-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
27-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon
21-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
20-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon
17-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon
04-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
15-Mar-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon
11-Mar-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon
03-Mar-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
26-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon
19-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon
05-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon
01-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon
30-Jan-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon
20-Jan-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
19-Jan-2023 : Slimbridge, Glos
06-Jan-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
02-Jan-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
01-Jan-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon

26-Dec-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon
20-Dec-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
06-Dec-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon
20-Nov-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon