Bird Watcher's Digest: Home Bird Watcher's Digest Magazine The Backyard Birds Newsletter The Bird Watcher's Digest App Bird Watcher's Digest Nature Shop

Bird Identification

in

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos Length: 23"

Look For

The male Mallard's green head and yellow bill make it one of North America's most recognizable bird species and certainly our most familiar duck. Domestic and semi-domestic versions of Mallards exist in many farmyards, parks, and zoos, but few feature the clean-looking plumage of the wild Mallard.

Listen For

Female Mallards give the typical duck call: quaaack!-quackquackquack! This sounds very much like Donald Duck of cartoon fame. Males give a high-pitched queeep!

Find

Mallards can be found in almost any freshwater habitat. Some Mallards live on suburban ponds and nest in the shrubbery around buildings. Often seen in pairs, which form in fall or winter and last through the breeding season.

Remember

Domestic Mallards can be found almost anywhere. Wild Mallards, with sharp-looking plumage, are wary birds that are quick to flush into the air.

Wow!

Mallards are strong fliers, and have been clocked at speeds of up to 60 mph!

This profile is an excerpt from The Young Birder's Guide by Bill Thompson, III. Purchase an autographed copy from our nature store, and check out other BWD titles designed to help you identify backyard birds.

You Might Like

Additional References Suggested by Google:

The Backyard Bird Watcher's Answer Guide

This booklet answers 101 of the most-often-asked questions about birds. Bird Watcher's Digest editor Bill Thompson, III has compiled material from the magazine's decades of answering questions, offering tips and solving problems for backyard bird watchers. Only $4.99 in our store!

Buy now »

An Identification Guide to Common Backyard Birds

This booklet is designed to introduce you to-and help you identify-many of the most common feeder birds in North America. For each species you will find a color photograph, notes about how to identify the species, a summary of its range and the times of year it is present, and general information about the food and the type of feeder it prefers. Only $4.99 in our store!

Buy now »

Thistle Sock Bird Feeder

Sock it to the birds! This Thistle Sock feeder attracts a variety of thistle-loving birds. Its quality nylon construction allows you to enjoy its visitors all season long. Very easy to use and clean. Only $5.00 in our store!

Buy now »

Identifying and Feeding Birds

This readable, friendly guide is intended for bird watchers and non-bird watchers alike—for anyone who wants to enjoy nature right in his or her own backyard. The longtime editor of Bird Watcher's Digest and author of numerous books on birds, Bill Thompson, III, has been feeding and watching birds for 40 years. He has tried everything, and he shares what he's learned so that readers can avoid the mistakes and skip right to successful bird feeding. Only $14.95 in our store!

Buy now »

Reduce Window Strikes With Featherguard

It has been estimated that as many as 975 million birds are killed each year in North America in collisions with glass windows and buildings. FeatherGuard is uniquely effective because it combines bright color, motion, and the birds' natural aversion to loose feathers. In nature loose feathers are often a sign that a bird has been killed by a predator. Try FeatherGuard today and make your windows safer for your wild birds. Only $7.50 in our store!

Buy now »