Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
 Male (left) and female (right) Mallards |
General Description: Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) are sexually dimorphic pond ducks. Females are mottled brown with a bold eyeline, an orange bill, orange feet, and a blue wing patch (speculum) bordered on both sides by white. Males have bright colors: the head is iridescent green, the breast is reddish, the sides are gray, and the back is dark. There is a white neck band, yellow bill, and orange feet, and several curled feathers just above the tail. Males also have the blue speculum bordered on both sides by white. Taxonomy: Anseriformes, Anatidae, Anatinae Favored Habitat: Ponds and marshes. Where to Find: Neighborhood ponds, parks (e.g., Lorenzi Park and Sunset Park), the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, and Boulder Beach Marina at Lake Mead NRA. To find them in more natural habitat, visit the Pahranagat Valley. Comments: Wild Mallards tend to be small like other ducks, but domestic mallards are much larger and often mix with wild birds. |
 Male Mallard |
 Male Mallard; note curled tail feathers |
 Female Mallard: blue speculum with white borders |
 Female Mallard: note dark eyeline and orange feet. |
 Female; typical view with speculum concealed |
 Female; typical view with speculum exposed |
 Female and male (in eclipse plumage) |
 Female and male (in eclipse plumage) |
 Sleepy ducks ... |
 ... then wake up with a big stretch. |
 Female Mallard and chicks |
 Female Mallard and chicks |
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 Mallards mating (1): male forces female's head under water |
 Mallards mating (2): male hold female's head under water |
 Mallards mating (3): male still holding female's head under water |
 Mallards mating (4): to get a breath, she submits |
 Mallards mating (5): finished, male rolls off female |
 Mallards resting on a floating log in more typical, wild habitat. |
Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 240102
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