Mallard
Scientific Name: Anas platyrhynchosMaltese Name: Kuluvert
Family: Wildfowl (Anatidae)
Occurence: Scarce
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Mallard is the most widespread and familiar duck throughout Europe. It is very tolerant to human disturbance and is seen in town parks coming for bread thrown by people. There also are truly wild Mallards that are shy too. The male has a green head, yellow bill, and brown breast and under parts. Female is very plain and has brown plumage. It can be identified from other female ducks of other species as it has a blue speculum near its wings The Mallard like other ducks feeds on small aquatic insects, also seeds and roots. Builds a nest near water where it lays 9-13 eggs. Often heard calling with its popular quack- quack. Resident in most of Europe but populations of far north migrates in winter. It is known that Mallards can live up to 25 years.
Status:
Scarce but numbers vary from one year to another.
When to See:
Appears in autumn and winter in small numbers
Where to See:
Rarely flying near the coast in small flocks. Occasionally a few individuals are recorded at Ghadira and Simar Nature Reserves.
Photographs:
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Female Mallards, Ghadira Nature Reserve, November 2010 |
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Male Mallard, Simar Nature Reserve, February 1998 |
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