Mallard

20 1/2-28 inches

The Mallard lives in marshes, bays, and even city ponds. It feeds with its tail up and head down under the water. This feeding style is called "dabbling".

Food: seeds including acorns, mollusks, insects

Nest: scrape near water, made of cattails, reeds, grass

In Marin: year round, but more in winter

Only the male has a green head.

Only the female makes nest and cares for eggs and young.






Photo courtesy of Dr. Antonio J. Ferreira, California Academy of Sciences
© 2001 California Academy of Sciences