The mallard or wild duck 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, Colombia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa. This duck belongs to the subfamily Anatinae of the waterfowl family Anatidae. Males have purple patches on their wings, while the females have mainly brown-speckled plumage. Both sexes have an area of white-bordered black or iridescent blue feathers called a speculum on their wings; males especially tend to have blue speculum feathers. The mallard is 50–65 cm (20–26 in) long, of which the body makes up around two-thirds the length. The wingspan is 81–98 cm (32–39 in) and the bill is 4.4 to 6.1 cm long. It is often slightly heavier than most other dabbling ducks, weighing 0.7–1.6 kg (1.5–3.5 lb). Mallards live in wetlands, eat water plants and small animals, and are social animals preferring to congregate in groups or flocks of varying sizes. This species is the main ancestor of most breeds of domestic ducks. Source: Wikipedia
Citation:
Linnaeus, C 1758
Reference:
Systema Naturae ed. 10
1 p.125
Protonym:
Anas platyrhynchos
Type locality:
Europe; restricted to Sweden by Linnaeus, 1761, Fauna Svecica, ed. 2, p. 42.
Link:
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/10277#page/143/mode/1up
Avibase ID:
D6F5A788399B36E7
Avibase ID:
avibase-D6F5A788
Short link:
https://avibase.ca/D6F5A788
Taxonomic Serial Number:
TSN: 175063
Geographic range:
Authorities recognizing this taxonomic concept:
African Bird Club Checklist 2004: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
African Bird Club Checklist August 2005: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
African Bird Club Checklist March 2007: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
African Bird Club Checklist January 2008: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
African Bird Club Checklist May 2009: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
African Bird Club Checklist March 2010: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
American Ornithologists' Union 1st edition (1886): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 1st edition (incl. 1st suppl.): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 1st edition (incl. 2nd suppl.): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 1st edition (incl. 3rd suppl.): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 1st edition (incl. 4th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 1st edition (incl. 5th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 1st edition (incl. 6th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 1st edition (incl. 7th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 2nd edition (1895): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 2nd edition (incl. 8th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 2nd edition (incl. 9th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 2nd edition (incl. 10th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 2nd edition (incl. 11th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 2nd edition (incl. 12th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 2nd edition (incl. 13th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas boschas) |
American Ornithologists' Union 2nd edition (incl. 14th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
American Ornithologists' Union 2nd edition (incl. 15th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
American Ornithologists' Union 3rd edition (1910): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
American Ornithologists' Union 3rd edition (incl. 16th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
American Ornithologists' Union 3rd edition (incl. 17th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
American Ornithologists' Union 3rd edition (incl. 18th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
American Ornithologists' Union 5th edition (incl. 34th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (1983): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (incl. 35th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (incl. 36th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (incl. 37th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (incl. 38th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (incl. 39th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (incl. 40th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (incl. 41st suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (1998): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 42nd suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 43rd suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 44th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 45th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 46th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 47th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 48th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 49th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 50th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 51st suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 52nd suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 53rd suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 54th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 55th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 56th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 57th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Society 7th edition (incl. 58th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Society 7th edition (incl. 59th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Society 7th edition (incl. 60th suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts (current): Mallard or Mexican Duck ( Anas [platyrhynchos or diazi]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 2023 (May 2023): Mallard or Mexican Duck ( Anas [platyrhynchos or diazi]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 01 (August 2013): Mallard or Mexican Duck ( Anas [platyrhynchos or diazi]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 02 (May 2014): Mallard or Mexican Duck ( Anas [platyrhynchos or diazi]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 03 (March 2015): Mallard or Mexican Duck ( Anas [platyrhynchos or diazi]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 04 (Aug 2016): Mallard or Mexican Duck ( Anas [platyrhynchos or diazi]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 05 (Jan 2017): Mallard or Mexican Duck ( Anas [platyrhynchos or diazi]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 06 (Feb 2018): Mallard or Mexican Duck ( Anas [platyrhynchos or diazi]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 07 (Feb 2020): Mallard or Mexican Duck ( Anas [platyrhynchos or diazi]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 08 (Feb 2021): Mallard or Mexican Duck ( Anas [platyrhynchos or diazi]) |
Birdlife checklist version 00: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 01: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 02: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 03: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 04: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 05 (Jun 2012): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 05.1 (Oct 2012): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 06 (Nov 2013): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 06.1 (Feb 2014): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
British Ornithologists' Union Checklist (7th edition): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
British Ornithologists' Union Checklist (7th edition, incl. Jan 2009 suppl.): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
Christidis and Boles (2008): Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds: Northern Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
Commission internationale pour les noms français des oiseaux (1993, révision 2009): Canard colvert ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition (incl. 2009 revisions): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.5 incl. 2010 revisions): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.6 incl. 2011 revisions): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.7 incl. 2012 revisions): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.8 incl. 2013 revisions): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.9 incl. 2014 revisions): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Clements, version 2015: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Clements, version 2016: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Clements, version 2017: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
eBird version 1.50: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
eBird version 1.52: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
eBird version 1.53: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
eBird version 1.54: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
eBird version 1.55: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
eBird version 2015: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
eBird version 2016: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
eBird version 2017: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
eBird version 2018: Mallard/Mexican Duck ( Anas platyrhynchos/diazi) |
eBird version 2019: Mallard/Mexican Duck ( Anas platyrhynchos/diazi) |
eBird version 2021: Mallard/Mexican Duck ( Anas platyrhynchos/diazi) |
eBird version 2022: Mallard/Mexican Duck ( Anas platyrhynchos/diazi) |
eBird version 2023: Mallard/Mexican Duck ( Anas platyrhynchos/diazi) |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (as published): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 1.2): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 2.1): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 3.1): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 4): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 5): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 6): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 7): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 8): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 4th edition (vol. 1-2): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 4th edition (incl. corrigenda vol.1-2): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 1.7: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.0: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.1: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.2: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Morony, Bock and Farrand: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Oriental Bird Club: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) |
Sibley and Monroe (1993): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Sibley and Monroe (1993, including corrections up to 1998): Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Sibley and Monroe, Birds of the World Version 2.0: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) [version 1] |
Zoonomen - Zoological Nomenclature Resource: Anas platyrhynchos [version 1] |
Taxonomic status:
Species status: species group (sometimes a species)
This taxon is a subspecies of
Anas platyrhynchos [sensu lato]
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Other synonyms
See also the taxonomic synonyms table.
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