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Male Mallard,
Anas platyrhynchos.
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Class: Birds
Order: Screamers, Swans, Geese and Ducks
Family: Swan, Geese and Ducks
Subfamily: Ducks
Tribe: Surface-feeding Ducks
Species found in the Rideau
River:
Wood Duck, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Green-winged
Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail
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Female Mallard,
Anas platyrhynchos.
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Characteristics of the family:
Surface-feeding ducks do not dive to find food. Instead, in shallow
water they tip over, thereby submerging the head and upper body. They
usually have an iridescent patch on the wing.
Interesting facts:
Surface-feeding ducks are able to take off by rising straight up; they
do not need to run along the water to take off.
| Description |
With
its green head, white collar and chestnut breast, the male is
easily recognized. Females are brown. The white bar on each
side of the iridescent wing patch is visible in flight. |
| Size |
50
cm to 70 cm from the tip of the bill to the tip of the tail. |
| Distribution |
All
of Canada and the United States, and much of Europe and Asia.
Winters in those parts of its breeding range where the water
does not freeze over, including the Ottawa area. |
| Habitat |
Shallow
waters: ponds, streams, rivers, marshes and flooded areas. Also
feeds on land, particularly in grain fields. |
| Food |
Aquatic
plants, seeds, grasses, insects, small aquatic animals. |
| Life
cycle |
Nests
in the spring and the female usually lays 8 to12 eggs. Usually,
nests on the ground close to water, but at times far from it.
Eggs are incubated for 28 days. Males remain near the nest for
about 12 days. |
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