Australia
SpeciesField NotesLog inDownload

Field notes

Stay in the loop

Get updates, new features, and Australian birding news.

By subscribing, I agree to receive BirdUp Australia updates, new features, and Australian birding news.

Australia
Download for iOSDownload for AndroidSpeciesField NotesRSSNewsletterBrandPrivacyTerms

BirdUp Australia Pty Ltd © 2026. Made in Australia for Australian birders.

  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Anatidae
  4. ›
  5. Anas
  6. ›
  7. Mallard
Mallard
Photo · (c) Thomas Jaeger, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchosLinnaeus, 1758

Updated 21 March 2026

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Introduced
Order
ANSERIFORMES
Family
Anatidae
Genus
Anas

At a glance

The Mallard is a very large bird, about 50–70 cm long, listed as Least Concern. It can be seen year-round.

Size
50–70 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Introduced
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Mallard look like?

The Mallard is a very large bird, about 50–70 cm long and weighing 750–2800 g.

The mallard or wild duck is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa. It has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa. Belonging to the subfamily Anatinae of the waterfowl family Anatidae, mallards live in wetlands, eat water plants and small animals, and are social animals preferring to congregate in groups or flocks of varying sizes.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
50–70 cm
Weight
750–2800 g
Wingspan
81 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

flight

  • In flight, look for an iridescent blue wing patch that is clearly framed by prominent white bars on both the leading and trailing edges.

plumage

  • Look for the breeding male's glossy green head and the thin white ring that separates it from the purplish-brown chest.
  • Observe the bill color to distinguish sexes; males have a solid yellowish-orange bill, while females have a mottled orange-and-black bill.

size_and_shape

  • Look for the male's 'drake feathers,' which are two to four central black tail feathers that curl noticeably upwards.

voice

  • Listen for the female's iconic, loud, descending series of quacks, while the male makes a much quieter, raspy, and low-pitched call.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Mallard?

The Mallard is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Mallard eat?

The Mallard feeds on seeds, foliage/herbs and fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

5 photos

The BirdUp app

Log your next Mallard in the field

A pocket field journal for 850+ Australian birds. Offline-first, smart ID, and a lifelist that travels with you.

Get the appRead field notes
Spotted something wrong on this page? Report incorrect info

02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Mallard live in Australia?

The Mallard is found in Australia, recorded across 60 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingNA, PAL : widespread

Non-breedingMexico, north AF, AU and north OR

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident

8 regions recorded