Wildlife

Mallard
Scientific Name: Anas platyrhynchos
Audio: Listen Now
Primary Source: Dave Rogers
Photo Source: Unknown
Audio Source: Unknown
More Info: USDA Forest Service

Mallards live in most parts of the world and may be the most recognized waterfowl. The characteristic bright green plumage on the head and neck of the male make it very easy to identify. In contrast, the female's plumage is a drab brown...sharing only the blue streaks on its wings with the male.

They prefer to live near wetlands where they can find floating, emergent, and submerged vegetation upon which to feed. As a result, you are most likely to find them along the shores of Bingen Harbor and Bingen Lake at the Port's Bingen Point Business Park and on rare occassions the shores of Joe's Lake in the Port's Dallesport Industrial Park. At Bingen Point, Mallards can be seen year-round, though the greatest number can be seen during the summer months.

Mallards consume a variety of foods including, but not limited to, vegetation, insects, and worms. They may also take advantage of human activity when desireable food such as grain, bread, etc. is left behind (these "foods" have no nutritional value to ducks and should not be intentially left for them).

Mallard pairs may bond as early as October or as late as March. The female usually lays nine to thirteen eggs in a nest on the ground near a body of water. When the ducklings hatch, the hen leads them to water, never to return to the nest. After the breeding season, mallards generally migrate to warmer southern areas (though some may stay through the winter in areas where food and shelter are abundant).