Mallardマガモ

Anas platyrhynchosLC— Least Concern

The mallard is a widespread dabbling duck found across the temperate Northern Hemisphere, recognizable by the male's glossy green head and the female's mottled brown plumage. It is largely omnivorous, favoring plant material on land but switching to insects and invertebrates during the breeding season. It is the wild ancestor of most domestic duck breeds and one of the most familiar waterfowl species in the world.

Mallard (reference photo)
Photo: Commonists / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Anseriformes / Anatidae Source
Size
Total length 50–65 cm, wingspan 81–98 cm
Weight
Males 900–1500 g / females 700–1300 g
Lifespan
Average lifespan about 3 years; banding studies have recorded birds living about 27 years
Diet
Omnivore Omnivorous, feeding mainly on terrestrial plant matter; before laying in the breeding season, the share of animal food (insects, crustaceans, etc.) increases
Distribution
Found across temperate and subtropical regions of the Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa, with introduced populations in Australia, New Zealand, and South America. Source
Sources
ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

  • The domestic duck was derived from the mallard. Source
  • The Edo-period natural history text Yamato Honzo lists the mallard, alongside the teal and the pintail, as one of the best-tasting ducks. Source
  • Female mallards can spontaneously develop male-like plumage due to damaged ovaries. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 6

Kyoto City ZooKyotoOpened in 1903

Source

Kiryuugaoka DoubutsuenGunmaIf driving, set your car navigation to "Kiryugaoka Amusement Park" (Kiryugaoka Yuenchi) rather than "Kiryugaoka Zoo" to reach the parking lot (searching by the zoo name may give an incorrect route).

Source

Noichi Zoological Park of Kochi PrefectureKochiA 20-minute walk or 13-minute rental-bicycle ride from Noichi Station on the Tosa Kuroshio Railway Gomen-Nahari Line.

Source

Tennoji ZooOsakaOpened in 1915

Source

Hamamatsu Zoological GardensShizuokaOpened in 1950

Source

Fukuoka Zoo & Botanical GardenFukuokaOpened in 1953

Source

Former facilities

North Safari SapporoHokkaidoOpened in 2005

Source

Closed: 2025-09-30 Official Site

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit
A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving
Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei
Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

Is the domestic duck related to the mallard?
Yes, most domestic duck breeds are descended from the mallard. Source
What do mallards eat?
They are omnivorous, mainly foraging on land for plant matter, but they eat more insects, crustaceans, and other invertebrates around the breeding season. Source
How long do mallards live?
Average life expectancy is around three years, but banding studies have recorded individuals living as long as 27 years. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 6 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org