Mallard
MallardMallardMallardMallard

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~70% · Very likely
at Fertő-Hanság National Park
2,158 Verified sightings at Fertő-Hanság National Park From 2019 to 2026
92,424 Verified sightings across all 106 parks From 2019 to 2026
December 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 Fertő-Hanság National Park

Common Teal
LC

Common Teal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anas crecca

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely
Northern Pintail
LC

Northern Pintail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anas acuta

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Greylag Goose
LC

Greylag Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anser anser

Daily sighting probability ~80% · Very likely
Common Shelduck
LC

Common Shelduck

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tadorna tadorna

Daily sighting probability ~70% · Very likely
Mute Swan
LC

Mute Swan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cygnus olor

Daily sighting probability ~60% · Likely
Northern Shoveler
LC

Northern Shoveler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spatula clypeata

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely
Red-crested Pochard
LC

Red-crested Pochard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Netta rufina

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely
Gadwall
LC

Gadwall

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mareca strepera

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely
Garganey
LC

Garganey

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spatula querquedula

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible
Common Pochard
VU

Common Pochard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aythya ferina

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Eurasian Wigeon
LC

Eurasian Wigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mareca penelope

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Ferruginous Duck
NT

Ferruginous Duck

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aythya nyroca

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

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 Fertő-Hanság National Park?

About 70% of wildlife watchers report a Mallard sighting in Fertő-Hanság National Park, based on 2,158 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Mallard in Fertő-Hanság National Park?

December has the highest sighting rate for Mallard in Fertő-Hanság National Park in our monthly data.

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