Watercolor portrait of Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos
Found year-round throughout much of Nort… Extremely adaptable – found in almost an… Female Decrescendo

Learn to identify the Mallard by ear. Master the "Female decrescendo quacks" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“Female decrescendo quacks”

What the Mallard sounds like

A large dabbling duck and one of the most familiar waterfowl. Males (drakes) in breeding plumage have an iridescent green head, bright yellow bill, a white neck ring, chestnut-brown breast, gray body, and black tail with a few upwardly curled black feathers (the "drake curl"). Females (hens) are mottled brown with an orange bill marked in black and have a violet-blue speculum (wing patch) edged in white, which is seen in both sexes. Both sexes show a white border on the speculum. Outside of the breeding season, males molt into an eclipse plumage that looks much like the female (brown and camouflaged) but usually retain yellow bills and some gray on the body. Overall size is about 24 inches long, with a heavy body and long broad bill.

“Female decrescendo quacks”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:Only female Mallards have a loud "song" in the form of the classic quacking series. This is a loud, raucous sequence of quacks often written as "Quack, quack, quack..." usually 5-7 or more in a row, each one fading in volume. This is both a call and, in effect, the female's "song" to advertise her presence. She may do this when separated from others or to call her brood. Males do not give this loud series. Often written as “Female decrescendo quacks”.
Don't confuse with:The American Black Duck — similar size and shape, but dark brown-black overall with lighter brown head.

Lessons featuring the Mallard

Ready to test your ear? Practice identifying the Mallard's sounds in this interactive in-app lesson.

Duck Dialects lesson habitat
Duck Dialects
Tier 11 · The Mixers
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Where you'll hear it

Extremely adaptable – found in almost any shallow freshwater habitat and even brackish wetlands. Common on ponds, lakes, marshes, rivers, park ponds, and suburban water features. They favor calm, shallow water where they can reach the bottom by upending. Also frequent city parks and urban lakes. They will use flooded fields and ditches as well. During winter, mallards concentrate in open water areas and will even use coastal bays or estuaries if freshwater is scarce (though they prefer fresh water). Essentially, if there is water and some aquatic vegetation or invertebrates, Mallards can thrive there.

Pairs form in late fall and winter; by early spring, most females have chosen a mate. Breeding occurs in spring: females lay 8-12 eggs typically in a ground nest near water. Only the female incubates (males often leave during incubation). Males undergo their wing molt (and go into eclipse plumage) in mid-summer, rendering them flightless for a few weeks. In autumn, both sexes molt to fresh plumage, with drakes regaining their green heads by late fall. Mallards are diurnal feeders but will also dabble at night, especially in secure urban areas. They are highly social outside the breeding season, forming flocks (called a "sord" when in flight) and congregating at rich feeding spots or roosts.

Similar species

American Black Duck

Similar size and shape, but dark brown-black overall with lighter brown head.

Mottled Duck

Southern U.S. species resembling female Mallard but more uniformly tan with buffy face and dark cap.

Mallard sound FAQ

What does a Mallard sound like?
Only female Mallards have a loud "song" in the form of the classic quacking series. This is a loud, raucous sequence of quacks often written as "Quack, quack, quack..." usually 5-7 or more in a row, each one fading in volume. This is both a call and, in effect, the female's "song" to advertise her presence. She may do this when separated from others or to call her brood. Males do not give this loud series. Listen for the "Female decrescendo quacks" phrase.
How do I tell a Mallard from a American Black Duck by sound?
American Black Duck: Similar size and shape, but dark brown-black overall with lighter brown head.; No white neck ring and the speculum lacks bold white borders.; Female Mallards are lighter brown with more contrast; male Mallards unmistakable when in breeding colors..
When is the best time to hear a Mallard?
Pairs form in late fall and winter; by early spring, most females have chosen a mate. Breeding occurs in spring: females lay 8-12 eggs typically in a ground nest near water. Only the female incubates (males often leave during incubation). Males undergo their wing molt (and go into eclipse plumage) in mid-summer, rendering them flightless for a few weeks. In autumn, both sexes molt to fresh plumage, with drakes regaining their green heads by late fall. Mallards are diurnal feeders but will also dabble at night, especially in secure urban areas. They are highly social outside the breeding season, forming flocks (called a "sord" when in flight) and congregating at rich feeding spots or roosts.