Mallard

Q: What are the chances of seeing a Mallard in Elk Island National Park?

About 80% of wildlife watchers report a Mallard sighting in Elk Island National Park, based on 840 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

Q: When is the best time to see Mallard in Elk Island National Park?

May has the highest sighting rate for Mallard in Elk Island National Park in our monthly data.

Anas platyrhynchos

Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassAves (Birds)
OrderAnseriformes (Waterfowl)
FamilyAnatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
GenusAnas (Mallards, Pintails, and Allies)
SpeciesAnas platyrhynchos (Mallard)

Daily sighting probability ~80% · Very likely

at Elk Island National Park

840 Verified sightings at Elk Island National Park From 2019 to 2026

92,424 Verified sightings across all 106 parks From 2019 to 2026

May Best month highest sighting rate

☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Mallard

The mallard or wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa. It has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa. Belonging to the subfamily Anatinae of the waterfowl family Anatidae, mallards live in wetlands, eat water plants and small animals, and are social animals preferring to congregate in groups or flocks of varying sizes.

Males (drakes) have green heads, while the females (ducks) have mainly brown-speckled plumage. Both sexes have an area of white-bordered black or iridescent purple or 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 (1.7 to 2.4 in) long. It is often slightly heavier than most other dabbling ducks, weighing 0.7–1.6 kg (1.5–3.5 lb).

The female lays 8 to 13 creamy white to greenish-buff spotless eggs, on alternate days. Incubation takes 27 to 28 days and fledging takes 50 to 60 days. The ducklings are precocial and fully capable of swimming as soon as they hatch.

The non-migratory mallard interbreeds with indigenous wild ducks of closely related species through genetic pollution by producing fertile offspring. Complete hybridisation of various species of wild duck gene pools could result in the extinction of many indigenous waterfowl. This species is the main ancestor of most breeds of domestic duck, and its naturally evolved wild gene pool has been genetically polluted by the domestic and feral mallard populations.

The mallard is considered to be a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and, unlike many waterfowl, is considered an invasive species in some regions. It is a very adaptable species, being able to live and even thrive in urban areas which may have supported more localised, sensitive species of waterfowl before development. Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Elk Island National Park

Anas crecca

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible

Anas rubripes

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Anas carolinensis

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Anas acuta

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Branta canadensis

Daily sighting probability ~70% · Very likely

Spatula discors

Daily sighting probability ~60% · Likely

Aythya affinis

Daily sighting probability ~60% · Likely

Bucephala albeola

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Mareca strepera

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Bucephala clangula

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Mareca americana

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely

Aythya collaris

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible

See all 12 relatives Show fewer

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

#	Park	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Hortobágy National Park	🇭🇺 Hungary	~70%
2	Plitvice Lakes National Park	🇭🇷 Croatia	~70%
3	Doñana National Park	🇪🇸 Spain	~70%
4	Fertő-Hanság National Park	🇭🇺 Hungary	~70%
5	Vatnajokull National Park	🇮🇸 Iceland	~70%
6	Biebrza National Park	🇵🇱 Poland	~70%
7	Wadden Sea National Park	🇩🇪 Germany	~70%
8	Kiskunság National Park	🇭🇺 Hungary	~60%
9	Camargue	🇫🇷 France	~60%
10	Cairngorms National Park	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	~60%
11	Thingvellir National Park	🇮🇸 Iceland	~60%
12	Bavarian Forest National Park	🇩🇪 Germany	~60%
13	Katmai National Park	🇺🇸 United States	~50%
14	Snowdonia National Park	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	~50%
15	Białowieża National Park	🇵🇱 Poland	~50%
16	Gauja National Park	🇱🇻 Latvia	~50%
17	Nikko National Park	🇯🇵 Japan	~50%
18	Wood Buffalo National Park	🇨🇦 Canada	~50%
19	Triglav National Park	🇸🇮 Slovenia	~40%
20	Point Pelee National Park	🇨🇦 Canada	~40%
21	Wrangell-St. Elias National Park	🇺🇸 United States	~40%
22	Saguaro National Park	🇺🇸 United States	~40%
23	Fiordland National Park	🇳🇿 New Zealand	~40%
24	Abel Tasman National Park	🇳🇿 New Zealand	~40%
25	Sierra de Guadarrama National Park	🇪🇸 Spain	~40%
26	Joshua Tree National Park	🇺🇸 United States	~30%
27	Acadia National Park	🇺🇸 United States	~30%
28	Monfragüe National Park	🇪🇸 Spain	~30%
29	Sierra Nevada National Park	🇪🇸 Spain	~30%
30	Tongariro National Park	🇳🇿 New Zealand	~30%
31	Egmont National Park	🇳🇿 New Zealand	~30%
32	Tatra National Park	🇸🇰 Slovakia	~30%
33	Isle Royale National Park	🇺🇸 United States	~20%
34	Kaziranga National Park	🇮🇳 India	~20%
35	Yosemite National Park	🇺🇸 United States	~20%
36	Aigüestortes National Park	🇪🇸 Spain	~20%
37	Shenandoah National Park	🇺🇸 United States	~20%
38	Pyrénées National Park	🇫🇷 France	~20%
39	Jiuzhaigou National Park	🇨🇳 China	~20%
40	Vanoise National Park	🇫🇷 France	~10%
41	Rakiura National Park	🇳🇿 New Zealand	~10%
42	Minneriya National Park	🇱🇰 Sri Lanka	~10%
43	Aoraki Mount Cook National Park	🇳🇿 New Zealand	~10%
44	Mercantour National Park	🇫🇷 France	~10%
45	Gros Morne National Park	🇨🇦 Canada	~10%
46	Picos de Europa National Park	🇪🇸 Spain	~10%
47	Cape Breton Highlands National Park	🇨🇦 Canada	~10%
48	Cévennes National Park	🇫🇷 France	~10%
49	La Amistad International Park (Panama)	🇵🇦 Panama	~10%
50	Ecrins National Park	🇫🇷 France	~10%
51	Keoladeo National Park	🇮🇳 India	<5%
52	Denali National Park	🇺🇸 United States	<5%
53	Chitwan National Park	🇳🇵 Nepal	<5%
54	Arthur's Pass National Park	🇳🇿 New Zealand	<5%
55	Royal National Park	🇦🇺 Australia	<5%
56	Royal Bardia National Park	🇳🇵 Nepal	<5%
57	Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park	🇲🇳 Mongolia	<5%
58	Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
59	Everglades National Park	🇺🇸 United States	<5%
60	Table Mountain National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	<5%
61	Blue Mountains National Park	🇦🇺 Australia	<5%
62	Nahuel Huapi National Park	🇦🇷 Argentina	<5%
63	Kenai Fjords National Park	🇺🇸 United States	<5%
64	El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	<5%
65	Great Otway National Park	🇦🇺 Australia	<5%
66	Jim Corbett National Park	🇮🇳 India	<5%
67	Chagres National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	<5%
68	Congaree National Park	🇺🇸 United States	<5%
69	Ranthambore National Park	🇮🇳 India	<5%
70	Doi Inthanon National Park	🇹🇭 Thailand	<5%
71	Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca	🇲🇽 Mexico	Insufficient data
72	Khangchendzonga National Park	🇮🇳 India	Insufficient data
73	La Tigra National Park	🇭🇳 Honduras	Insufficient data
74	Volcán Barú National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	Insufficient data
75	Cajas National Park	🇪🇨 Ecuador	Insufficient data
76	Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park	🇨🇱 Chile	Insufficient data
77	Langtang National Park	🇳🇵 Nepal	Insufficient data
78	Khao Yai National Park	🇹🇭 Thailand	Insufficient data
79	Cat Tien National Park	🇻🇳 Vietnam	Insufficient data
80	Pilanesberg National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	Insufficient data
81	Braulio Carrillo National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
82	Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve	🇪🇨 Ecuador	Insufficient data
83	Iguazú National Park	🇦🇷 Argentina	Insufficient data
84	Daintree National Park	🇦🇺 Australia	Insufficient data
85	Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park	🇪🇸 Spain	Insufficient data
86	Booderee National Park	🇦🇺 Australia	Insufficient data
87	Hohe Tauern National Park	🇦🇹 Austria	Insufficient data
88	Lago de Yojoa	🇭🇳 Honduras	Insufficient data
89	Springbrook National Park	🇦🇺 Australia	Insufficient data
90	Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park	🇦🇺 Australia	Insufficient data
91	Kosciuszko National Park	🇦🇺 Australia	Insufficient data
92	Ankarafantsika National Park	🇲🇬 Madagascar	Insufficient data
93	Itatiaia National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	Insufficient data
94	Garden Route National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	Insufficient data
95	Serra da Canastra National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	Insufficient data
96	Addo Elephant National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	Insufficient data
97	Bandhavgarh National Park	🇮🇳 India	Insufficient data
98	Namib-Naukluft National Park	🇳🇦 Namibia	Insufficient data
99	Tijuca National Park	🇧🇷 Brazil	Insufficient data
100	Nagarhole National Park	🇮🇳 India	Insufficient data
101	Big Cypress National Preserve	🇺🇸 United States	Insufficient data
102	Tenorio Volcano National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
103	Manas National Park	🇮🇳 India	Insufficient data
104	Farallones de Cali National Natural Park	🇨🇴 Colombia	Insufficient data
105	Arenal Volcano National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
106	Kanha National Park	🇮🇳 India	Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Mallard in Elk Island National Park?

About 80% of wildlife watchers report a Mallard sighting in Elk Island National Park, based on 840 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Mallard in Elk Island National Park?

May has the highest sighting rate for Mallard in Elk Island National Park in our monthly data.

← Back to Elk Island National Park

Mallard

About the Mallard

Recent sightings of Mallard in Elk Island National Park

Closest Relatives at Elk Island National Park

Common Teal

American Black Duck

Common Teal

Northern Pintail

Canada Goose

Blue-winged Teal

Lesser Scaup

Bufflehead

Gadwall

Common Goldeneye

American Wigeon

Ring-necked Duck

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

Quick answers