The Mallard duck, or the Anas- Platyrhynchos, is a bird with a broad snout and webbed feet, which are used to help them swim. Mallard ducks are sexually dimorphic, meaning both genders appear different. The male mallards are colorful in appearance, with a green head, chestnut colored chest and gray body. On the other hand, female mallards are dull in color due to their brown body, but they make up for it with their purplish- blue patch on their feather wings. Mallard ducks are monogamous meaning they stay with one mate until the end of breeding season, where they breed in the north, or until the egg is hatched. Mallard ducks are also known for their unusual way of feeding, compared to other birds. They are what you called, "dabbling" ducks, meaning they swim around on the surface of the water and tip their whole body into the water to feed on the plants there. Mallards are omnivores, so during breeding season, they feed on animals such as larvae, worms, snails, and shrimp. During migration, they feed on seeds and grains. Their status currently is least concerned, but their population is actually decreasing, due to the fact that they are one of the most hunted animals in the country.
No comments:
Post a Comment