Mallard

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is in the Ducks, Geese, and Swans family (Anatidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 358,434 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Mallard: observations by month (U.S.)

About Mallard

The mallard (/ˈmælɑːrd/ or /ˈmælərd/) (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa and has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa. This duck belongs to the subfamily Anatinae of the waterfowl family Anatidae. The male birds (drakes) have a glossy green head and are grey on wings and belly while the females (hens or ducks)...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Mallard by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)

Canada GooseBranta canadensis

Wood DuckAix sponsa

Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeata

BuffleheadBucephala albeola

American WigeonMareca americana

Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatus

Ring-necked DuckAythya collaris

GadwallMareca strepera

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ