| Photo Information |
Copyright: Tabatha Osborne (fototab)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 308 W: 0 N: 371]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (2145) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2006-03-24 |
| Categories: Birds |
| Camera: Canon 20D, Canon 100-400mm IS |
| Exposure: f/5.6, 1/40 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2006-04-05 13:48 |
| Viewed: 827 |
| Points: 4 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Mallard Duck
Anas platyrhynchos
The mallard is the most commaon duck in North America. It is easy to tell the males from the female mallards. Most males mallards have a grayish or brownish feathers, a green colored head, and a urple breast On the other hand, the female is only brown and white and is smaller than the male. The males molteasier than the females.
The mallard duck is found mostly in North America and North Central America . They nest under boulders, in tree holes, in the crotch of trees, or in open areas.
Mallards are omnivores. They eat varios seeds including corn, wheat, barley, bulrushes, wild rice, primrose,willow, seeds of water elm, oak, hackberry, trees of swamps or river bottoms. They will eat mollusks, insects, small fish, tadpoles,freshwater snails,fish eggs, and frogs. They usually feed at the surface of the water and are know as " dabbling ducks". They don't dive all the way under the water, but just tip their heads under to feed.
The male mallard, or drake, leaves the female when she begins incubation and forms a group with other males. Nine to thirteen eggs are laid at daily intervals. Incubation begins when the clutch is complete and lasts for 27 to 28 days. The ducklings all hatch within 24 hours, mostly during the day.
Mallards mature quickly and may breed under 12 months of age. Although mallard ducks have been know to live as long as sixteen years of age, most of them only live for one or two years.
During the summer, mallards spend much time sleeping on water banks. The mallard has only three defenses - swimming,flying, and camouflage, and it is prey to large mammals. Mallards have no defense against humans who are their biggest enemy. Many are killed by oil spills and pesticides.
This little lady is nesting right on my job sight. I was able to capture this while she was on her nest. Today I was glad to see she has 9 healthy ducklings. Hopefully pictures to come.
Thanks for looking,
Tabatha |
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